tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672185957485432242024-03-20T14:43:13.307-07:00DOWN TO EARTH in The CityAN OUT AND ABOUT VENTURE - Featuring WALKS, TALKS, DISCUSSIONSAlf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-2352545868681393842023-01-10T00:09:00.006-08:002023-01-19T07:08:04.399-08:00Do you know your Christmas Trees? (part 2)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtO19Bjadpr06x71oqEbU4k7OUd4D28u2mHBGwyJY6aHeGrWRg9mqb8GYAKUjqhrrtMg9awO3eMLJnG8jyIDvGYml23IwbyEUveCeTgNf2o9FmKvzxsrqwmuRVl8_tD4XscAWzu1IrJqtvnwuONk6pcIuT84DndimILQf8bSMZvYeraaGKPtX/s4032/FIR.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtO19Bjadpr06x71oqEbU4k7OUd4D28u2mHBGwyJY6aHeGrWRg9mqb8GYAKUjqhrrtMg9awO3eMLJnG8jyIDvGYml23IwbyEUveCeTgNf2o9FmKvzxsrqwmuRVl8_tD4XscAWzu1IrJqtvnwuONk6pcIuT84DndimILQf8bSMZvYeraaGKPtX/s320/FIR.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Fir at Cannon Hill Park<br />possibly Abies grandis</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Winter 'evergreens', a suitable and seasonal distraction in terms of identification, providing a rather more challenging activity than the now fallen broad leaves, although having said that, a tree with no leaves is just as challenging when only buds and bark are at play. Also, the language of evergreens is somewhat different to that of broadleaves, in both biological terminology and description, providing a continual monologue through the year, with a voice that changes less hysterically than its broadleaf distant relatives. The other challenging difficulty of course is the weather, standing with a field guide and key on a cold day is not everyone's idea of fun.</p><p>The subject trees related to in this passage are mainly those found locally either at the Cannon Hill Park Tree Trail or at the Highbury Park Pinetum and Highbury Estate. </p><p>All of the trees have been introduced with various planting schemes over the past 80 years or so, and most of them are much younger.</p><p>Only the <b>Scots Pines</b> and <b>Yews</b> are native to the British Isles, all others have a history of introduction, many arriving for the first time, brought here by collectors in the mid-late 19th Century.</p><p>The Highbury Park Pinetum was planted in 1993 by the Townswomen's Guild, and there lies another story, but 30 years later, we have a collection of trees, collectively known as a 'Pinetum', as all belong to the family 'Pinaceae', well, most of them. It's not an easy story to tell or grasp but here goes-</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURWyrZbPhcbesyQNqvKqIo8QMfxDzARBma2sPrmWqrUothEpk6kKK5Au_IPVbkvX6qeyIg-1MeERsGIQbRvYhE-Y5ylK_g015N6jNySEqVxnl1TmBNFRM_AFXwVl5401UKZxPlZfrzeySGACqw-u7SzwQ4zIrmTOnne6bSEEKagnoGXkbTdZA/s1112/IMG_2114.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURWyrZbPhcbesyQNqvKqIo8QMfxDzARBma2sPrmWqrUothEpk6kKK5Au_IPVbkvX6qeyIg-1MeERsGIQbRvYhE-Y5ylK_g015N6jNySEqVxnl1TmBNFRM_AFXwVl5401UKZxPlZfrzeySGACqw-u7SzwQ4zIrmTOnne6bSEEKagnoGXkbTdZA/w476-h640/IMG_2114.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Surviving trees at the Highbury Park Pinetum, <br />surveyed in 2020 by Ellen Pisolkar</span></td></tr></tbody></table>A list of the original 1993 plantings can be found on the nearby Park noticeboard. Not all of the trees have survived the past 40 years, thus providing an absorbing activity, armed with a <b>field guide</b> to identify the survivors. Thankfully the list of trees is accompanied by an onsite map which provides aid to the vicinity of a particular tree.<div><p>We have carried out the <b>'Do You Know Your Christmas Trees'</b> event several times over the past 12 years, with mixed results depending largely on weather conditions .</p><p>A little desktop research may be useful before visiting the site, at least to try and grasp the differences between the various families and genera.</p><p>The two main families present in the Pinetum are, <i>Cupressaceae and Pinaceae, </i>with the presence of a few trees from the family <i>Taxodiaceae.</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>For an academic classification reference follow the link-</p><p><a href="https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Conifer">https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Conifer</a><br /></p><p>Tree families to be found at Highbury Park and Cannon Hill Park -</p><p>1 Fir (Abies)</p><p>2 Cedar (Cedars)</p><p>3 Spruce (Picea)</p><p>4 Pine (Pinus)</p><p>5 RedCedar (Thuja) (None in the Pinetum, but present on the Estate)</p><p>6 Larch (Larix)</p><p>7. Cypress (Cupressus)</p><p>8. Hemlock (Tsuga)</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tree shapes</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_v2i3OxgmHu8oPetpODC7xxqaK3TRreitMCEQ_R7rTJpLSgKYIxVHk7V9H6S_TwHNsUGQ5jTeCBN_k4_KGsnLyGb-hvwOxlGFksiClxCwkLhvJtQkLrHBycNVJt52t2KVk-zVL2I9DcCVdR5wmPW2RXfoPwNysG_BULpe8fSQU8wmeFw7M0r-/s4032/02AF9FF1-B6DB-4582-83C1-4E40EDF170C8_1_201_a.heic" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_v2i3OxgmHu8oPetpODC7xxqaK3TRreitMCEQ_R7rTJpLSgKYIxVHk7V9H6S_TwHNsUGQ5jTeCBN_k4_KGsnLyGb-hvwOxlGFksiClxCwkLhvJtQkLrHBycNVJt52t2KVk-zVL2I9DcCVdR5wmPW2RXfoPwNysG_BULpe8fSQU8wmeFw7M0r-/w300-h400/02AF9FF1-B6DB-4582-83C1-4E40EDF170C8_1_201_a.heic" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Fir (Abies) at Cannon Hill Park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPHX9Dz6t0zPTfOiwgyhv6LGbOowOplY9Kgansj8fP4urvr8dDvP1X5tysYM865xQwDH44iBkYQbRqH7-Rqbx_cTmHVsScQA-2T1fmNDPLvWN05YDNxOgrYI58ekUv-7XjoSrxJB1oBRv0vSgb1uL_8rRu8ATvqN_Hmn6RW8Rr8Qwoa88BTDB/s4032/66DBA64B-926E-4E03-B2A4-CA1C0ECEC79E.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPHX9Dz6t0zPTfOiwgyhv6LGbOowOplY9Kgansj8fP4urvr8dDvP1X5tysYM865xQwDH44iBkYQbRqH7-Rqbx_cTmHVsScQA-2T1fmNDPLvWN05YDNxOgrYI58ekUv-7XjoSrxJB1oBRv0vSgb1uL_8rRu8ATvqN_Hmn6RW8Rr8Qwoa88BTDB/w300-h400/66DBA64B-926E-4E03-B2A4-CA1C0ECEC79E.heic" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">Cedar (Cedrus) at Cannon Hill Park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p><i><br /></i></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO8MDdnkhLuo3hJx2oOQ0zibAZ_-LT5UIEbZkojzz3yANBQbNqwbTAwEORrRoQH3dgZP0MPP6dp0fU4JBTGDkpl0wOd8OkWHQb9zX2r-5_j0f8IZHeMNZ0CcP3EqxZjswJ8OLzZU2BD7zkxZyVX005uDYSJuVcAgJ-mmknbjAxkR6PZ73rjSP/s4032/FA8AA037-D3DB-45F3-9BF0-2FBEB3766599_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO8MDdnkhLuo3hJx2oOQ0zibAZ_-LT5UIEbZkojzz3yANBQbNqwbTAwEORrRoQH3dgZP0MPP6dp0fU4JBTGDkpl0wOd8OkWHQb9zX2r-5_j0f8IZHeMNZ0CcP3EqxZjswJ8OLzZU2BD7zkxZyVX005uDYSJuVcAgJ-mmknbjAxkR6PZ73rjSP/w300-h400/FA8AA037-D3DB-45F3-9BF0-2FBEB3766599_1_201_a.heic" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Pines (Pinus) at Cannon Hill Park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Cones -</span> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dHIjd9za1rlKibQDEoQHgy_K3JBDKTqv8Xo-XBinyv5KGqmLzLMMBxjL_apB8Vev01ewQ-H0fzqpl_X1iXz98IYOxwsrhp0H45M7EXx1Haxu--0-9kUhI9VEfsFrq1U7Iwdg8TzUawSQYU9wmQpMrCO_BbvPkZA48XmkN-liveBa2q9T6lYz/s2584/IMG_2161.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="1580" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dHIjd9za1rlKibQDEoQHgy_K3JBDKTqv8Xo-XBinyv5KGqmLzLMMBxjL_apB8Vev01ewQ-H0fzqpl_X1iXz98IYOxwsrhp0H45M7EXx1Haxu--0-9kUhI9VEfsFrq1U7Iwdg8TzUawSQYU9wmQpMrCO_BbvPkZA48XmkN-liveBa2q9T6lYz/s320/IMG_2161.heic" width="196" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">A variety of cones</span></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh2_lKERxeYrqeCswkms7e_9akMwpGObgCTCvSZfac9QY18NmmBr9mQYgbk9esjFealkF4FS_MmOJhIEvi7760Ry7FkCjP7fOUgbw_3F79SG770-3-hGMKTLfG9y8k_sNYpqAG_Pc-0lx_KDUrrvxqSZgn8gEbb7qXiES7jGQi8yX63fUtdyT/s1792/7EA1BEC8-CC05-4B87-A9E4-03E0350CB924_1_102_o.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh2_lKERxeYrqeCswkms7e_9akMwpGObgCTCvSZfac9QY18NmmBr9mQYgbk9esjFealkF4FS_MmOJhIEvi7760Ry7FkCjP7fOUgbw_3F79SG770-3-hGMKTLfG9y8k_sNYpqAG_Pc-0lx_KDUrrvxqSZgn8gEbb7qXiES7jGQi8yX63fUtdyT/s320/7EA1BEC8-CC05-4B87-A9E4-03E0350CB924_1_102_o.jpeg" width="148" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">if evident, cones provide the best identification feature, but in some cases, during mid-winter, cones may be seemingly absent in full form, especially those from Fir and Cedar trees. Look a little closer at the base of the tree for other evidence, such as the disintegrated scales from the cone.<br /></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Leaves, Needles, Fern-like, Scale-like</span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_smFOeT04pbfY4Ynu-CIOiPeE3n_vben396rQhn1LhBbAjwEf1aWZyuR7jXnU_KtuYF7fumKzSuudV_y7bNLsVUkyOqsCvVRBAWvnULFpavmhuHd1op76fzq9vRfSCTK7qD-ZYUo6-8Q2pV5ctDoaTZ_GNVMopTlv9t6HJmT4vwCl2Z7GcULM/s3733/IMG_2157.heic" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3733" data-original-width="1878" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_smFOeT04pbfY4Ynu-CIOiPeE3n_vben396rQhn1LhBbAjwEf1aWZyuR7jXnU_KtuYF7fumKzSuudV_y7bNLsVUkyOqsCvVRBAWvnULFpavmhuHd1op76fzq9vRfSCTK7qD-ZYUo6-8Q2pV5ctDoaTZ_GNVMopTlv9t6HJmT4vwCl2Z7GcULM/w322-h640/IMG_2157.heic" width="322" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Scale like leaves</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA6n01KSI7QG1t4nADNjFKU5PpFEty_VJO887rbMJRK3MEVYfCGYo_np_3NPLBYsV0o42_J_r6_HS-_m3UGhD285ohYW0O85n63ry3p9vw1XYfnn0jhGT0vcKaIKqmqb5ByvGYCA5R-KSqao3ZEgvNRMBbXKQ1GX8yEhZaLhYmqodhUcCRq5b/s1792/IMG_2127.PNG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA6n01KSI7QG1t4nADNjFKU5PpFEty_VJO887rbMJRK3MEVYfCGYo_np_3NPLBYsV0o42_J_r6_HS-_m3UGhD285ohYW0O85n63ry3p9vw1XYfnn0jhGT0vcKaIKqmqb5ByvGYCA5R-KSqao3ZEgvNRMBbXKQ1GX8yEhZaLhYmqodhUcCRq5b/w296-h640/IMG_2127.PNG" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Underside of Fir needles</span></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eA1S9QG16ZcdgUjEVNr_jsxjE7xci-XJzbaNcvy-ykcTZ755gYr2d5uqjQ9hxWkNXZeiYt1tD2TaTcDuGWZB4ESzFVeoOeRmuK76rHzguJddpkq3vsrOhZgaPTnyGxw-oKMUCLouOMSzSVRmRCSH4WnmlpjBjrUPuzFLeQ8K-Hnti5Qpkemj/s3804/IMG_2158.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3804" data-original-width="1995" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eA1S9QG16ZcdgUjEVNr_jsxjE7xci-XJzbaNcvy-ykcTZ755gYr2d5uqjQ9hxWkNXZeiYt1tD2TaTcDuGWZB4ESzFVeoOeRmuK76rHzguJddpkq3vsrOhZgaPTnyGxw-oKMUCLouOMSzSVRmRCSH4WnmlpjBjrUPuzFLeQ8K-Hnti5Qpkemj/w336-h640/IMG_2158.heic" width="336" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Some trees have both fern-like and needle-like leaves</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A silver fir sp. at Cannon Hill</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAC6SBQ7cD3FAETdOV0XydmRq52tQMMAWOGceraIk6UNfn7-Q46h10-MH5lAYbToKG8om_TROO-lfbCCbIVnlCIbNNWh6LkUcQv10KS6g6sbUdONjMJrUk4rce7WUV481g3QZyirPDjhG6WPtT1DlKhd-yTqp9k_vKndUDXRdcEXMFAYt6F9q/s4032/IMG_2147%202.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAC6SBQ7cD3FAETdOV0XydmRq52tQMMAWOGceraIk6UNfn7-Q46h10-MH5lAYbToKG8om_TROO-lfbCCbIVnlCIbNNWh6LkUcQv10KS6g6sbUdONjMJrUk4rce7WUV481g3QZyirPDjhG6WPtT1DlKhd-yTqp9k_vKndUDXRdcEXMFAYt6F9q/w300-h400/IMG_2147%202.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div>A 60-70 foot tree with foliage well out of reach, identification, therefore not easy - </div><div><br /></div><div>Characteristics immediate = </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Straight trunk</li><li>Lowest foliage at 40-50 feet </li><li>Sheen on foliage</li></ul><div>Characteristics beneath canopy</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>fallen foliage</li><li>disintegrated female cones</li><li>possible male cones</li></ul></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprRJVd40KIo5rGE8CaaIJ68yScf2wtgtNZWtoSOQ-FhrEf3pbbE8QZIJtL_YSguxpy0N5czg-GY5z-8tj8zr3jS_nS9qD103-7-cByu4rtOw4HtTUEV6TfUyfTZpcPt3U8nW26fcjz8Yfdt9L8H3goYgmWYGD8h2ol6R2_RCyMZbtIJrMNr3i/s4032/IMG_2146.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprRJVd40KIo5rGE8CaaIJ68yScf2wtgtNZWtoSOQ-FhrEf3pbbE8QZIJtL_YSguxpy0N5czg-GY5z-8tj8zr3jS_nS9qD103-7-cByu4rtOw4HtTUEV6TfUyfTZpcPt3U8nW26fcjz8Yfdt9L8H3goYgmWYGD8h2ol6R2_RCyMZbtIJrMNr3i/w300-h400/IMG_2146.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">foliage at 40-50 feet</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">A variety of winter finds</span><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnZxvJFHsXD4yHxf42Dqx4Mo61D0Ku5WQ4Xk_HdKjH008e134LeU-0TCb5l41tmevqyIHj_nctwi-zOtVgs63BokdSHZ1VIE2Owx7MizD_kFAWOGYqWshj9pHtwKfue5H_Z6Tad7lWk2-VuB2sf5gYL8hKypPAdRW_8n5-qZUYfLbEiM_MfLc/s320/IMG_2155.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="148" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfgmMsYh12s81d4jrLcVYTsgSsI64XHSwbNVryPT7rL2uNS8gRth0H9ReIKI1yM9TOgzsbyDHODnWZwRFeaeWY3xRGESirwXFqGksB5A6v55qnwmQ-GmloxpkXYrl-hKJ413bdftVa8c2QCt5ckGv28w_1P4WfLFsQF5dJbOG_6Zr4QgTSNhI/s1221/IMG_2153.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfgmMsYh12s81d4jrLcVYTsgSsI64XHSwbNVryPT7rL2uNS8gRth0H9ReIKI1yM9TOgzsbyDHODnWZwRFeaeWY3xRGESirwXFqGksB5A6v55qnwmQ-GmloxpkXYrl-hKJ413bdftVa8c2QCt5ckGv28w_1P4WfLFsQF5dJbOG_6Zr4QgTSNhI/w434-h640/IMG_2153.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">scale of disintegrated fir cone</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Fir foliage found <br />beneath canopy</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn-KB_vvRIN5QETvYpenWbCnaTwjF1ESx3n5dBfejSXmvz_gxCggkd2NePX9PGSdtvnm_DvNGhVfBl8Xdg0XfHG3rnAi4otI_HmJ5k6_WJw0ETsy-bpVXa9tuawL5Fxe4748X4rSzOIPhywl9ZKVZjAfHb-89TvLu_w-F7uJGPfWvCEfup3Lh/s1242/Western%20Hemlock.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1242" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn-KB_vvRIN5QETvYpenWbCnaTwjF1ESx3n5dBfejSXmvz_gxCggkd2NePX9PGSdtvnm_DvNGhVfBl8Xdg0XfHG3rnAi4otI_HmJ5k6_WJw0ETsy-bpVXa9tuawL5Fxe4748X4rSzOIPhywl9ZKVZjAfHb-89TvLu_w-F7uJGPfWvCEfup3Lh/w640-h338/Western%20Hemlock.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Highbury Estate<br />A recent introduction to the British Isles when Chamberlain completed Highbury around 1880</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxWYOrNPNe2GHkSxe_KqJVTL2lg7irigETZ3UAW-RI9OvUvLITw54fOez9jjpFvFEpGyTTDFtCOkFNv52UUN29ymzkl8-XW_Zf7ECiaaRutbw0WdFfkSPZhTOS-y-pcsN2-eUcNTbO_uBMp4KMFNnogQqJlN2VO14h0t0rb_RpUiu8rDYYycP/s1792/IMG_2231.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxWYOrNPNe2GHkSxe_KqJVTL2lg7irigETZ3UAW-RI9OvUvLITw54fOez9jjpFvFEpGyTTDFtCOkFNv52UUN29ymzkl8-XW_Zf7ECiaaRutbw0WdFfkSPZhTOS-y-pcsN2-eUcNTbO_uBMp4KMFNnogQqJlN2VO14h0t0rb_RpUiu8rDYYycP/w296-h640/IMG_2231.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Cupressus at Cannon Hill Park<br /><span style="text-align: left;">Cupressus or 'true' Cypress are a much variegated collection of conifers, relatively easy to hybridise I suspect, but quite accommodating regarding identification. .</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75V2Tm_P6evVWkMYtfnBo9gPVWBzKhwFjzBzxxxhHGQcsyXvfDeoGKKoosIabASodRl8XXiW2_iONJeuKzqmXJ_PzYWN4mVCa9ONnWm6gkepjD0-qrBdn2_kTaKxXdSpUdN6ULMH-qr2PD5NrLWYxmRHIW7Gwt1WTxnXkjYwJyCMRkdf4kCB1/s2923/AEE3DA04-24D1-4A5C-BF6B-E964A7BA1822_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2923" data-original-width="1887" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75V2Tm_P6evVWkMYtfnBo9gPVWBzKhwFjzBzxxxhHGQcsyXvfDeoGKKoosIabASodRl8XXiW2_iONJeuKzqmXJ_PzYWN4mVCa9ONnWm6gkepjD0-qrBdn2_kTaKxXdSpUdN6ULMH-qr2PD5NrLWYxmRHIW7Gwt1WTxnXkjYwJyCMRkdf4kCB1/w414-h640/AEE3DA04-24D1-4A5C-BF6B-E964A7BA1822_1_201_a.heic" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Handbook of Firs and Pines 1886</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div> A not very useful handbook by today's standards, but full of the language of coniferous evergreens.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Conifer">https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Conifer</a><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-50717144961194813762022-10-27T03:40:00.001-07:002023-01-30T01:01:50.086-08:00Memorials<p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh7ilQKvNBhZJIFmRC0CakGZ9GiqxamLFgj4A75oeW4O58NnunWkJ4bgGpG6sgGCExKfHbdit9pDlbwGpMY0nqzn19yMYvrt926zb4gI0xYkaPweQe90-R_ILKOvRX8OFp8mWFRsdMAnz_Ii-WYVwTM7WDiQVdD7qs6mE2bydPP1uhhh-Lkxx/s4032/IMG_1465.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh7ilQKvNBhZJIFmRC0CakGZ9GiqxamLFgj4A75oeW4O58NnunWkJ4bgGpG6sgGCExKfHbdit9pDlbwGpMY0nqzn19yMYvrt926zb4gI0xYkaPweQe90-R_ILKOvRX8OFp8mWFRsdMAnz_Ii-WYVwTM7WDiQVdD7qs6mE2bydPP1uhhh-Lkxx/w300-h400/IMG_1465.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Boer War Memorial Sculpture<br />Cannon Hill Park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 'memorial statue' has become the subject of contention over the past few years, as the rewriting of history, providing us with alternative details of a particular event, gathers pace. </span><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Edward Colston in Bristol</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Robert Milligan at West India Dock Quay</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College, Oxford</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">To name a few-</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most, if not all statues of this kind represent either an occasion or an individual for actions deemed celebratory in their day, yet as successive generations awaken to</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> further revelations, the discussions can take a turn in another direction, and we begin to question other aspects and related facts. A broader section of our previously unvoiced society is able to voice opinions according to a different perspective.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.historyandpolicy.org/opinion-articles/articles/the-fall-of-slavery-statues-symbols-and-social-contention">https://www.historyandpolicy.org/opinion-articles/articles/the-fall-of-slavery-statues-symbols-and-social-contention</a> </p><p>The article - '<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">The fall of slavery: statues, symbols and social contention' -</span> addresses the issues. Follow the link above</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tFOpQZ_dv4-jvENs5j0n7FTVpdEx9rJUcAPFeXpsTA-ONgKWTDLUSmIUhJ6VxTBjH8YPPKsAhm_fdJl9o6eH6xU8vsCvjDOA72knznrusS_fYy5bFXvA4fCWJkxOvkXBPsbj8GfqI3irFEbBKPgYg9VaZ0wZL9k1cMn54RbsXnAQ3oUBl5zm/s4032/IMG_1839%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tFOpQZ_dv4-jvENs5j0n7FTVpdEx9rJUcAPFeXpsTA-ONgKWTDLUSmIUhJ6VxTBjH8YPPKsAhm_fdJl9o6eH6xU8vsCvjDOA72knznrusS_fYy5bFXvA4fCWJkxOvkXBPsbj8GfqI3irFEbBKPgYg9VaZ0wZL9k1cMn54RbsXnAQ3oUBl5zm/w640-h480/IMG_1839%202.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Attached to the Boer War Memorial in 2020</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Boer War Memorial at Cannon Hill Park contains a cartouche with the words-</span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">"TO / THE GLORIOUS MEMORY / OF THE / SONS OF BIRMINGHAM / WHO FELL IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR 1899-1902 / AND TO PERPETUATE / THE EXAMPLE OF ALL WHO / SERVED IN THE WAR / THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED / BY THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS".</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">During the Black Lives Matter campaign in 2020, a laminated A3 sheet was attached to the memorial (image above) reinforcing the sentiment of sadness and adding another detail in </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">remembrance</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> of the Black South Africans who lost lives, together with a reminder that it was "two European colonising powers" in a conflict in a foreign land. This is known as an "unofficial modification" and avoids the sometimes vandalistic options, such as defacing or graffiti or physical destruction.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This, I feel, is an appropriate and </span>necessary<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">addition to the story, albeit a temporary one, as the sheet was taken down and discarded nearby, deliberately I suspect.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">But rather than the destruction of offending statues, as was the case with the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol, although that's now part of the narrative, a brief and respectful modification is called for, one that does nothing to damage the integrity of the artwork, but adds perspective and value to the overall story.</span></p>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-71280140958618284062022-10-19T02:39:00.000-07:002022-10-19T02:39:52.493-07:00Pleasant walk, fine weather, lots of park activity, good company, jolly banter, shared knowledge - We came across the Organics<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A pleasant walk, fine weather, lots of park activity, good company, jolly banter, shared knowledge and light humour were the ingredients for a fine health and well-being walk recipe.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB1sZaVe0CKBV4zminkxfO4qwQg9aCNrPhc5XdSPtPImpEd7mHw6Gxk2rsXg4PbK7N_lENpvOViQjvaTzXAAzfms4HDRl-y8oDdEbb2MNBMX-0NyonOisZLObf_kiwralQWWJ3VSxkTT-6C1t2DwNFmxBJesp4kK7yz57hL9IK6KHUTjib3Uk/s4032/IMG_1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB1sZaVe0CKBV4zminkxfO4qwQg9aCNrPhc5XdSPtPImpEd7mHw6Gxk2rsXg4PbK7N_lENpvOViQjvaTzXAAzfms4HDRl-y8oDdEbb2MNBMX-0NyonOisZLObf_kiwralQWWJ3VSxkTT-6C1t2DwNFmxBJesp4kK7yz57hL9IK6KHUTjib3Uk/w480-h640/IMG_1447.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Veteran Willow at Cannon Hill</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> As is often the case during 'Down To Earth in The City' meetings the themes veered this way and that, but were largely kept on course by the landscape features at Cannon Hill Park and beyond.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Added to the headliner features of hedgerow, meadow, ancient oaks and veteran willow was the Organic Growers Alliance conference at the MAC and a friendly rivalry encounter between the Hay Mills and Billesley Fire Crews.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Birmingham's Premier Park can be a bustling hive of activity on occasion but most times provides a comfortable encounter for families, dog walkers, runners and casual visitors. If the need to escape suddenly becomes overwhelming, then a short walk across the main grass-covered arena to the woods will often suffice. In need of a greater escape? then venture further along the Rea Valley, all the way to the Waseley Hills if desired. </span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX2KlkzeD7n8bhRpFHmf8ms8mgU_XasunFBALr00HPATZW-nztxWMe-XkZlN7ZqkuFj0oLoBlAR4lHLBy5ZD3e-M-DftzvHeBb-uw9CCZUBAmZE5mPPPftElqtejtzQRnqg7zQY9c-U5Iq1bKXC5KYTYZIgI4_NefYkmk6uRm7nxF5FC8JY32/s4032/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX2KlkzeD7n8bhRpFHmf8ms8mgU_XasunFBALr00HPATZW-nztxWMe-XkZlN7ZqkuFj0oLoBlAR4lHLBy5ZD3e-M-DftzvHeBb-uw9CCZUBAmZE5mPPPftElqtejtzQRnqg7zQY9c-U5Iq1bKXC5KYTYZIgI4_NefYkmk6uRm7nxF5FC8JY32/w300-h400/IMG_1429.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Willow tunnel</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLNOYZbzbSTN4waOPadt1V4ymIyn_EF-o0zvhXUXvMwN0H6hRJSGfO0Cs_hOpL2Gf_lRdOQ1vHeJigVlQUnBXwHb1VFPkIg47uJefxyZCluaX5JnoRABkEe5GOgo7zg680Q65UlKe4M4H-SIQzRwJjevb4osqgJdKI1YAYcYY_QX4Yo8ZimEI/s4032/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLNOYZbzbSTN4waOPadt1V4ymIyn_EF-o0zvhXUXvMwN0H6hRJSGfO0Cs_hOpL2Gf_lRdOQ1vHeJigVlQUnBXwHb1VFPkIg47uJefxyZCluaX5JnoRABkEe5GOgo7zg680Q65UlKe4M4H-SIQzRwJjevb4osqgJdKI1YAYcYY_QX4Yo8ZimEI/w300-h400/IMG_1428.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Aged Oak 400 years</span></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /> <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_M3dFMHmUSZBNeOcnLGe04wJHKbqnIb6z9Ef_rB5PE1cbB0kHt8GY3SFtSJy3urG6Jc3yg2QbrzBh0AbG7y7ovoCLiRRAJxYAA3Epz7K0vHQRApJqysGTYXaoZY785AiFs87TuS1PSeCXa64OwsYQ-FivriOTH0uo7ebCfvUfkyPmKPUMLr8/s1504/Screenshot%202022-10-19%20at%2009.19.48.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1504" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_M3dFMHmUSZBNeOcnLGe04wJHKbqnIb6z9Ef_rB5PE1cbB0kHt8GY3SFtSJy3urG6Jc3yg2QbrzBh0AbG7y7ovoCLiRRAJxYAA3Epz7K0vHQRApJqysGTYXaoZY785AiFs87TuS1PSeCXa64OwsYQ-FivriOTH0uo7ebCfvUfkyPmKPUMLr8/s320/Screenshot%202022-10-19%20at%2009.19.48.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>An unexpected encounter was the Organic Growers Alliance Conference taking place at the MAC, and in particular, the modern seed drill caught my eye, what a contraption, and yet compared with my primitive model, perhaps a little over-technological.</span><p></p><p><a href="https://organicgrowersalliance.co.uk/organic-matters-22/" style="font-family: arial;">https://organicgrowersalliance.co.uk/organic-matters-22/</a></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKYxLUGbjRtyHItPUiXD5rHtI-iGgMcpj7cjhNiyLsNADufnbSpYfGO3Z4eFBQPuAT5CD5aUiHa6mDOb-mTxmMuNjTPES67dKa6dtiZOBPIF-2DQrot9D1TbRnaC7kEpR_IHqzaeF7NPngxu2ZGOLchce46-3odz6BxnHQ8OX6kWYH06gGnNF/s4032/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKYxLUGbjRtyHItPUiXD5rHtI-iGgMcpj7cjhNiyLsNADufnbSpYfGO3Z4eFBQPuAT5CD5aUiHa6mDOb-mTxmMuNjTPES67dKa6dtiZOBPIF-2DQrot9D1TbRnaC7kEpR_IHqzaeF7NPngxu2ZGOLchce46-3odz6BxnHQ8OX6kWYH06gGnNF/w400-h300/IMG_1446.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jang Seeder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ9mLVLMHzlJBYuv7pgZV0x2J_KWKq6ZPGr_eLp3H5uDljM8RAX7xrU_IvTGVvkeOihoF6kV4pUQ1bAPz6fa9UKKzRjDz8X5rEb5k0OJnjw8_BBNSiAe2YrZeuRSbcv6RrqR8EkM2X9e2SY35D1GvaZ76vnTEbtlpK6nVzT-HnIw6qBVGw2om/s4032/IMG_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ9mLVLMHzlJBYuv7pgZV0x2J_KWKq6ZPGr_eLp3H5uDljM8RAX7xrU_IvTGVvkeOihoF6kV4pUQ1bAPz6fa9UKKzRjDz8X5rEb5k0OJnjw8_BBNSiAe2YrZeuRSbcv6RrqR8EkM2X9e2SY35D1GvaZ76vnTEbtlpK6nVzT-HnIw6qBVGw2om/w300-h400/IMG_1448.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">simple box hopper seeder<br />age and origin unknown</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-68244009694763582732022-10-16T02:54:00.008-07:002022-10-18T10:24:37.566-07:00Curse of the hedgerow (A perspective)<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAG5pMaJzNnfRT-7JJNIvlWvQBE76tmu5cbvFeb-vdtOSjohj6TLhnWWR_HHwJOVrefb8ndNWXrwtjXkZIceql0KHzn_TxNwUWAsp1wTVfjvpTeYsFKbXqtgYb0teVZ2BqRVMOXveX5IlXI8Mml1mJ314Mhyt7RTku6OYpE6IbGw-vkSlFkbv/s3824/IMG_1418%202.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3824" data-original-width="1581" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAG5pMaJzNnfRT-7JJNIvlWvQBE76tmu5cbvFeb-vdtOSjohj6TLhnWWR_HHwJOVrefb8ndNWXrwtjXkZIceql0KHzn_TxNwUWAsp1wTVfjvpTeYsFKbXqtgYb0teVZ2BqRVMOXveX5IlXI8Mml1mJ314Mhyt7RTku6OYpE6IbGw-vkSlFkbv/w264-h640/IMG_1418%202.heic" width="264" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span>ow we love to celebrate the British hedgerow, citing the great benefits to the natural world and the enhancement to the wider countryside, together with the annual 'National Hedgerow Week' and hedging competitions taking place around the country; mostly carried out by volunteers and amateurs it should be said, but also employing a few professionals in the process.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>longside these annual events, there are written works aplenty and photographs combining to make a very interesting historical account, but with ramifications beyond the 'green and pleasant land' epithets. </p><p>'<span style="font-size: x-large;">E</span>nclosures' with its sinister and oppressive connotations is cited in virtually all works on the subject, and on occasions in social history accounts too.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>ylvia Federici makes many references in the Preface, Introduction to, and text in her book on capitalism, 'Caliban and the Witch', noting early on "...a new round of "enclosures" that have expropriated millions of agricultural producers from their land, and the mass pauperisation and criminalisation of workers, through a policy of mass incarceration ...."</p><p>'<span style="font-size: x-large;">E</span>nclosures' essentially refer to the appropriation and division of land by unscrupulous means and methods to dispossess the poorest land workers, actions, which reverberate to this day.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>nce this monumental usurpation had taken place, the floodgates of capitalism were opened wide.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span>ichard and Nina Muir acknowledge the inequalities in their well-considered and balanced account 'The Great Enclosures', "..Enclosure was a boon to the rich and a curse on the poor..", a most familiar arising in any age no doubt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RDb3tA4QucbmKahNtKW_yoCw-Y0u23sGIOtbSu8sjwl1Kgi7thXeqnZMNvOen1e2XHH6CAaTO-vdUsvtTysnDpd6HZt7p9Jx-t7h_o3_xGE8akDVukLqzU2wICe5-LIOc9veY__wsr-sUjKd5VB5G-ZA17FwNe2MsTH1pn6MfRhnbOH5wiIj/s3515/IMG_1419.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3515" data-original-width="2386" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RDb3tA4QucbmKahNtKW_yoCw-Y0u23sGIOtbSu8sjwl1Kgi7thXeqnZMNvOen1e2XHH6CAaTO-vdUsvtTysnDpd6HZt7p9Jx-t7h_o3_xGE8akDVukLqzU2wICe5-LIOc9veY__wsr-sUjKd5VB5G-ZA17FwNe2MsTH1pn6MfRhnbOH5wiIj/s320/IMG_1419.JPG" width="217" /></a></div>'<span style="font-size: x-large;">E</span>nclosure' is the physical boundary, largely celebrated today, whilst 'Inclosure' is the legal term referring to "the conversion of common land into private land". But in some instances land was enclosed without legal support. Either way, it was a monumental shaping of the landscape affecting many people over a number of centuries, but particularly rife between the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries.<br /><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span>aving realised the value of hedgerows as a youthful rookie birdwatcher, seeking any new record for my tick list, I also realised quite early on in this venture how sterile much of the bleak arable countryside was in this regard. </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>hilst our impressions of the green and pleasant land are set in our minds, in reality, there's little to sing and shout about, apart from dog walkers and ramblers, much of Britain is devoid of people and wildlife.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HYmlVnmkcQpwJSqfVadf35P-Dv5fL_aFh4Se-Qc_kSxn2W_qmbso6aZH2Q9snQHDfYZvlV7P7dv8q0nstjnRPsq_pe3lHO9Ednj3VGoRKPXFHxUY4CcDtf9-xKpqufwLkFDjhE6_eDlLYCFRbERa4iH0-ETgxDnKShJdoxcNIRFLzWLdek0P/s960/IMG_1425.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HYmlVnmkcQpwJSqfVadf35P-Dv5fL_aFh4Se-Qc_kSxn2W_qmbso6aZH2Q9snQHDfYZvlV7P7dv8q0nstjnRPsq_pe3lHO9Ednj3VGoRKPXFHxUY4CcDtf9-xKpqufwLkFDjhE6_eDlLYCFRbERa4iH0-ETgxDnKShJdoxcNIRFLzWLdek0P/w480-h640/IMG_1425.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rolling landscape of Foxcote, Cradley<br />My first birdwatching haunt <br />(photo V Fowkes, FB October 2022)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>he hedgerows at Cradley (above) are mechanically shorn each year with no available funds for employing a hedge layer, one suspects, which is common throughout the country. The wooded thickets are welcome, although an unplanned asset, and maybe a 'rewilding' programme is called for, but of course, the land is conservatively protected as an economic asset.<br /><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>or me, with a cynical eye, whilst also accepting the political difficulties of countryside management, the message is largely 'Keep Out', 'Beware of the Bull', 'Beware of the dog' and 'Trespassers will be shot' or at least prosecuted. Whilst we may not see specific or actual signage of this nature these days, although I'm sure there are some scattered around, it's the message of the thorny hedgerow, the encouragement of spiky bramble and the barbed-wired gate top that is ingrained in our culture, providing a clear message - KEEP OUT.</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: 15px;">he Ramblers say-</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt;"><i>Open access land currently covers around 8% of land in England and Wales, and focuses mainly on upland land types, like mountains, moors, heaths and downs. There are opportunities to bring the joy and benefits of exploring off-path to more people and places. </i></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt;"><i> </i></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt;"><i>The Ramblers would like to see:</i></p><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;"><li style="background-image: url("../images/bull-green.png"); background-position: 0px 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; list-style: none; padding: 4px 0px 4px 15px;"><strong><i>A more equal freedom to roam</i></strong><p style="clear: both; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"></p><p style="clear: both; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><i>Open access land is not evenly distributed. People living in lowland areas – like much of eastern England – have less opportunity to roam near to where they live. For example, only 0.6% of land in Kent is open access, compared to 72% of the Peak District. </i></p><p style="clear: both; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><i><a href="https://www.ramblers.org.uk/policy/england/access/access-to-wild-open-countryside-or-the-right-to-roam.aspx">https://www.ramblers.org.uk/policy/england/access/access-to-wild-open-countryside-or-the-right-to-roam.aspx</a></i></p></li></ul><p>Inclosure, thou'rt curse upon the land</p><p>And tasteless was the wretch who thy existence planned</p><p>John Clare (Poet) 1821 </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrOf7fyjU_vYDCmD0ErCmRDQl5qrDIVmagkWcBG_T7ODwmz2XGLA9CeF_-Yzgvrbmhi-gdWMQ-fzfV0C6vCKDf_1Y4rPaO6-OVLjDelXOeTkR26aWy-fQ-1YpBsApR54yn_Fsr4MCZ3lkmFcq-qCWohV9rj_3QRaxj7D08oedKG83A7xJePo0/s4032/IMG_1421.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrOf7fyjU_vYDCmD0ErCmRDQl5qrDIVmagkWcBG_T7ODwmz2XGLA9CeF_-Yzgvrbmhi-gdWMQ-fzfV0C6vCKDf_1Y4rPaO6-OVLjDelXOeTkR26aWy-fQ-1YpBsApR54yn_Fsr4MCZ3lkmFcq-qCWohV9rj_3QRaxj7D08oedKG83A7xJePo0/w480-h640/IMG_1421.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moor Green Allotments</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-83386928037319037222022-10-10T06:32:00.002-07:002022-10-10T09:53:25.114-07:00Down To Earth in The City Autumn Walks<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span><span style="font-size: x-large;">A series of leisurely wayside walks - </span></span></span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">along the streets, asides the rivers</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Dancing Script"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyx-TCGRmE1WWO_qCJnxrnsApucq1Xh5avvceZQEdgXS67wUq5OHGEQH5fl_f3FftvLng0Y4ayNMzrHQwHMpUxJdv7dtShILxd-gXaLFrL306Iwu22G_6P0xZkBFzyFrprKN_lJywrTWiSunUqPofgV6Wpts1pPKTYczwejVVrmBRKNZZSMofK/s4032/IMG_1223.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyx-TCGRmE1WWO_qCJnxrnsApucq1Xh5avvceZQEdgXS67wUq5OHGEQH5fl_f3FftvLng0Y4ayNMzrHQwHMpUxJdv7dtShILxd-gXaLFrL306Iwu22G_6P0xZkBFzyFrprKN_lJywrTWiSunUqPofgV6Wpts1pPKTYczwejVVrmBRKNZZSMofK/w480-h640/IMG_1223.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Dancing Script"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-U045YIXGgMrNOaFwghsVGa3H_-bgViQLuzl884xzTE1ZhcR5CN2ClcK561SlzXgt0iBoPelB0me9BO2s_ae9aj_dDuek9ND9a8KjfbPtXVe91jEKkLCp0Zux6V8Uyba7ptLxW_djs_hDrsKV9h4ovXsNZQx7UW8TQeh1FQ5ZQ9ixG0-Rv3pq/s3345/IMG_1196.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3345" data-original-width="2157" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-U045YIXGgMrNOaFwghsVGa3H_-bgViQLuzl884xzTE1ZhcR5CN2ClcK561SlzXgt0iBoPelB0me9BO2s_ae9aj_dDuek9ND9a8KjfbPtXVe91jEKkLCp0Zux6V8Uyba7ptLxW_djs_hDrsKV9h4ovXsNZQx7UW8TQeh1FQ5ZQ9ixG0-Rv3pq/w412-h640/IMG_1196.JPG" width="412" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">and through the parks</span></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">accessible to all</span></span></h3><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">October 18th - </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Riverside Walk</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Cannon Hill Park</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">12.00 start, meet at MAC courtyard</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">November 1st-</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Trees of Highbury Park</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Highbury Park</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">11.00am meet at the car park off Shutlock Road</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">November 15th - </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Urban Walking</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Pacha House to Highgate Park</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">12.00 meet at Pacha House, Friends Hall and Institute, Old Moseley Road, Highgate</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">November 29th - </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Between The Oaks</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Kings Heath Park to Cannon Hill Park via Highbury Park</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">12.00 meet at the White House in the centre of the park</span></span></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-28790776164898949232022-10-09T05:42:00.007-07:002022-10-11T01:27:31.249-07:00Views from the Rooftop - Central Library Terraces<br />All compass point details are approximate<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpuaT_qJ5M_KqLrKGm7XnFTh17wVD1j-yxQ7jQn7T2_Nvk5AsD-cVzDB0WNpTJc1XDHXAyUEoELIzSURpvo9DJyNI5_iuBiFtDyANCRy66y63aMoEXDbyH0vldjHWt12kbxOVakeVK0WHukC7jQBotURfnTsJ4Rh_lwOyrf3WfT98N6pm35BG/s4032/IMG_1356.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpuaT_qJ5M_KqLrKGm7XnFTh17wVD1j-yxQ7jQn7T2_Nvk5AsD-cVzDB0WNpTJc1XDHXAyUEoELIzSURpvo9DJyNI5_iuBiFtDyANCRy66y63aMoEXDbyH0vldjHWt12kbxOVakeVK0WHukC7jQBotURfnTsJ4Rh_lwOyrf3WfT98N6pm35BG/w480-h640/IMG_1356.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three cornered garlic or similar</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74kH7WxZL09ivkuQ9lIJfDYvXniDZugZTZV-pUbUOyzbX9dRreP0ez9QOC4jpzMI2_Nd2dMWq52WC1dwAQ0twXGSQGLNZVIFLC33KX7FUniwqfwQFRLmmOgqpaUvfSilt0dyY1gOWo8i2jjVy_u_DTe7_biLPYVZ_5PkUYDcuqVhm7qlzTumO/s4032/IMG_1365.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74kH7WxZL09ivkuQ9lIJfDYvXniDZugZTZV-pUbUOyzbX9dRreP0ez9QOC4jpzMI2_Nd2dMWq52WC1dwAQ0twXGSQGLNZVIFLC33KX7FUniwqfwQFRLmmOgqpaUvfSilt0dyY1gOWo8i2jjVy_u_DTe7_biLPYVZ_5PkUYDcuqVhm7qlzTumO/w480-h640/IMG_1365.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library Terrace (Roof) garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhGPF__tZhOyWWTQU2XQiphsmQp1GAH0UQ3AH0sg_3Y8ntHV_YbCMQsSGgR4gWZWmFPKL4IhMqiOVnoEp_ZXwbSMNpgsRFeHmE9sX-HtH8QPYd7Zis-cU7J8JVYIKUMPiwL1-KKpub5vi0SNlwVnNVuUH7JfS61F3oXpibH1Ck6g7rGfnqz76/s4032/IMG_1366.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhGPF__tZhOyWWTQU2XQiphsmQp1GAH0UQ3AH0sg_3Y8ntHV_YbCMQsSGgR4gWZWmFPKL4IhMqiOVnoEp_ZXwbSMNpgsRFeHmE9sX-HtH8QPYd7Zis-cU7J8JVYIKUMPiwL1-KKpub5vi0SNlwVnNVuUH7JfS61F3oXpibH1Ck6g7rGfnqz76/w480-h640/IMG_1366.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the west - Broad Street towards Five Ways</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfK15YubKqiS5MvCbmlbVf2z1Leijr9E_fNCjrVCfWRq-e0qkZTJwwHAwGtIn7g6P5rP9Lm6FoQ18gNWRkmSaFLN4JipcRxImLuj1ReQf6pJ1MrctjYgdl7TRflf8QNYagIrb7dq0Q0me1JB9ssXdxkpdi-CGXit3H0X7msjhKKCr4qakUuXu/s4032/IMG_1367.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfK15YubKqiS5MvCbmlbVf2z1Leijr9E_fNCjrVCfWRq-e0qkZTJwwHAwGtIn7g6P5rP9Lm6FoQ18gNWRkmSaFLN4JipcRxImLuj1ReQf6pJ1MrctjYgdl7TRflf8QNYagIrb7dq0Q0me1JB9ssXdxkpdi-CGXit3H0X7msjhKKCr4qakUuXu/w480-h640/IMG_1367.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West side looking south</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6p3_e57Ldrb0q-ID0Hll7wLhbRJJXNUNigmE9kyOqEhA98IgzyB1PCrAMv6WJY9xNngeVQh31bvUYLtvKHmh0UL5nM5dymV3iidC9j_IyuW5lSWX5BzQigiSAKOcQKMOYarVmFPjERgVO0hg8YzhtPXN28uRVbQTm7FMdhkaZ3T8Mg0NKkxOz/s4032/IMG_1359.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6p3_e57Ldrb0q-ID0Hll7wLhbRJJXNUNigmE9kyOqEhA98IgzyB1PCrAMv6WJY9xNngeVQh31bvUYLtvKHmh0UL5nM5dymV3iidC9j_IyuW5lSWX5BzQigiSAKOcQKMOYarVmFPjERgVO0hg8YzhtPXN28uRVbQTm7FMdhkaZ3T8Mg0NKkxOz/w480-h640/IMG_1359.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baskerville House looking south east</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrRdzJ1XwWnxdirMT3_RCr1yaiOJwMyUG11Veq28pdrh1uwDE5Io-Fne3e0-xfT3R3pme10IBI3SiHBQzEZBHH-CFBWNdvEwQyfDYJJi8cy3fqCafKMvh0PTI6xD54K1ffMtxEs_RWAwA-IvaY8Q5HdG8NZe0dGA6O9137TCKe9EQmRc6RnZs/s4032/IMG_1358.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrRdzJ1XwWnxdirMT3_RCr1yaiOJwMyUG11Veq28pdrh1uwDE5Io-Fne3e0-xfT3R3pme10IBI3SiHBQzEZBHH-CFBWNdvEwQyfDYJJi8cy3fqCafKMvh0PTI6xD54K1ffMtxEs_RWAwA-IvaY8Q5HdG8NZe0dGA6O9137TCKe9EQmRc6RnZs/w480-h640/IMG_1358.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North east looking</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC00NkPl1x-63EX83dmlkad9F_oMRQ4XobC2AK3HFYxk9wwQ8AJJgdoSGoBKpYzDzEE6H_Jn6kjSBY_chk8O-6V9IpYKj-Vtq3-Idt9kwhc2GtgogCIQ8uGRx6LNi1lFizLS0ruaFj95N28aijO5JmDMbp5LcNl5-63nLJyskfwZrlk8umml9/s4032/IMG_1357.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC00NkPl1x-63EX83dmlkad9F_oMRQ4XobC2AK3HFYxk9wwQ8AJJgdoSGoBKpYzDzEE6H_Jn6kjSBY_chk8O-6V9IpYKj-Vtq3-Idt9kwhc2GtgogCIQ8uGRx6LNi1lFizLS0ruaFj95N28aijO5JmDMbp5LcNl5-63nLJyskfwZrlk8umml9/w480-h640/IMG_1357.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_77XevdTPlHWNLZ8uv3uUMEdS9zMAEK5f3AsQKFOGuEOzKi_8cdx7Tyifz-CaXA7YnyGcJLKwixjXr3cQvoPFxK8bCUkgE_vyc8_k8KofJZdN-lyJ3tYKKQK-Z-9Wx6MmkkRdMTQF0_K9g0xXOu55V82qYaTmNSRhw48TWcrQ1DJ_WGfO7B3/s4032/IMG_1363.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_77XevdTPlHWNLZ8uv3uUMEdS9zMAEK5f3AsQKFOGuEOzKi_8cdx7Tyifz-CaXA7YnyGcJLKwixjXr3cQvoPFxK8bCUkgE_vyc8_k8KofJZdN-lyJ3tYKKQK-Z-9Wx6MmkkRdMTQF0_K9g0xXOu55V82qYaTmNSRhw48TWcrQ1DJ_WGfO7B3/w480-h640/IMG_1363.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcx3KJu2vnj6AhGDJ1VvNGnVQghSKj8MqfpbmThDNTCEeEeERaFf6keFWEAuEy1QSkSTkhtc7GN4JRaKGYPJEE4nZLfV4FjLVtcV3tTqWnpBMJtZz8bgqL7A4SaySTfyuoL14hWe-PP_vUhxbXWnb7bwhUHmFWT6AR1I-KzRf1qkX9Ganjqvp/s4032/IMG_1362.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcx3KJu2vnj6AhGDJ1VvNGnVQghSKj8MqfpbmThDNTCEeEeERaFf6keFWEAuEy1QSkSTkhtc7GN4JRaKGYPJEE4nZLfV4FjLVtcV3tTqWnpBMJtZz8bgqL7A4SaySTfyuoL14hWe-PP_vUhxbXWnb7bwhUHmFWT6AR1I-KzRf1qkX9Ganjqvp/w480-h640/IMG_1362.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North north east</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrkqbh6a53zhneFM2HkVb5GkbdLzrHWkdknfGwfrkJa2H4IhwvjeCzlcNrOXrkZQjl3-tAKgVUkKrwhBbh_2VdepVAKnk2ryH_U8d99eA_RCGbksSsO5O2fQHGMOqtA0sbHWZObQG7KBK78xl4CwYRh5WDMSckDJAeElUcsY_klB5Kxn_IaMA/s4032/IMG_1361.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrkqbh6a53zhneFM2HkVb5GkbdLzrHWkdknfGwfrkJa2H4IhwvjeCzlcNrOXrkZQjl3-tAKgVUkKrwhBbh_2VdepVAKnk2ryH_U8d99eA_RCGbksSsO5O2fQHGMOqtA0sbHWZObQG7KBK78xl4CwYRh5WDMSckDJAeElUcsY_klB5Kxn_IaMA/w480-h640/IMG_1361.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTtWqj8M_mOXCBOKjZopkYNUaDz9LTS_MesAzzrNSgJwGQ8zeuusuXAdS6prgYjiQIiwGD3UJiB2GBGqlUbrPKmq5-7g-yBMvOGoHnNZmdC8khUBw1wikg-xDwOMo7f510qGQ1c5_58J5IJDGpwFSdXQc0_1_dkEDGmC6Q4Fr1LMMnfL4DcpY/s4032/IMG_1360.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTtWqj8M_mOXCBOKjZopkYNUaDz9LTS_MesAzzrNSgJwGQ8zeuusuXAdS6prgYjiQIiwGD3UJiB2GBGqlUbrPKmq5-7g-yBMvOGoHnNZmdC8khUBw1wikg-xDwOMo7f510qGQ1c5_58J5IJDGpwFSdXQc0_1_dkEDGmC6Q4Fr1LMMnfL4DcpY/w480-h640/IMG_1360.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRpIdNbvIEeDv9FoAonl0SrVC0vPm1QFjtZ-_ZAPU5divPEyfQTqGmCuNbcQx0WUZ0GFcDih6pkVgtAlf6PMqfC_N86zI5NpFCD9xlSmdIE5zc0QIYh1bnfg7eKzPnp6YQtcXAHdrWmhhJ9S9cFGzJdZyXA-BQklmQZxvlgYBPGTZ_08mhaMh/s4032/IMG_1368%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRpIdNbvIEeDv9FoAonl0SrVC0vPm1QFjtZ-_ZAPU5divPEyfQTqGmCuNbcQx0WUZ0GFcDih6pkVgtAlf6PMqfC_N86zI5NpFCD9xlSmdIE5zc0QIYh1bnfg7eKzPnp6YQtcXAHdrWmhhJ9S9cFGzJdZyXA-BQklmQZxvlgYBPGTZ_08mhaMh/w480-h640/IMG_1368%202.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-49156483067248233112022-09-26T03:06:00.005-07:002022-09-26T03:08:35.751-07:00Meadows and Pastures. The Cannon Hill Park Meadow<p>Meadows and pastures traditionally served the same purpose for feeding cattle and sheep throughout the year, pastures for all-year grazing and meadows providing hay for winter feeding, and these grassland features would have been an integral part of the city structure and development of the marketplace well into the 20th century.</p><p>Many of our meadows are now managed for their wildlife value, maintained and enhanced on a single 'cut and collect' regime each year. By removing the nutrient-rich cuttings, the practice ensures a nutrient-poor soil layer, thus enabling a variety of flowering plants to thrive, rather than a coarse grass-dominated grassland. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaQlHbfsfWzYxOGry5IliiCMC_ZviO8Efw88UoVGT7o4eCz-QwyHQVI1piUE2mEyPOgDioFoZJ244eZKGDFajQkYSFMIZp2SLLB2ZzbiMXDRzm6ztk9zbxbiH3kzzDsUWMBskIIyVsbkTlyIVVbJ-MEIfq-f7C13VEVpSRoQNakbvh0QdiP3S/s4032/IMG_0038.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaQlHbfsfWzYxOGry5IliiCMC_ZviO8Efw88UoVGT7o4eCz-QwyHQVI1piUE2mEyPOgDioFoZJ244eZKGDFajQkYSFMIZp2SLLB2ZzbiMXDRzm6ztk9zbxbiH3kzzDsUWMBskIIyVsbkTlyIVVbJ-MEIfq-f7C13VEVpSRoQNakbvh0QdiP3S/w640-h480/IMG_0038.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Cannon Hill Meadow 2022</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Highgate Park was Birmingham's first purchased municipal park, bought by the city council from a Trust set up at the request of the previous landowner Elizabeth Hollier in 1790, with an official acknowledgement by Mayor Joseph Chamberlain in 1876, three years after the opening of Cannon Hill Park. Up until then, the site was used for centuries as a grazing area for fattening cattle and sheep before herding along Bradford Street to the marketplace</p><p>Much of the parkland we know today had similar origins as pasture and meadow and later bequeathed to the people of Birmingham by benefactor land owners.</p><p>Whilst pasture land was mostly, if not entirely used for grazing, meadows traditionally provide hay for animal winter feeding, again both of these practices occur in city nature reserves today.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9q5qNgPKFelEKVnT1Z5zplpMTJBZCkXqSFgZcsk8KRy7zRstCaSJnVACvQh7TaVbniPHWhlY0yn_IeXbTk8pRieGPD773nmxXzNfwEhSTm2V02eqchgxw2YO-zOSAWh_nQMCO1fFDdzy4qNRAJJaLS8lDgr30N-GXMAQM-fQjV44s0EQaw9K/s2048/Mosely%20Tithe.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="2048" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9q5qNgPKFelEKVnT1Z5zplpMTJBZCkXqSFgZcsk8KRy7zRstCaSJnVACvQh7TaVbniPHWhlY0yn_IeXbTk8pRieGPD773nmxXzNfwEhSTm2V02eqchgxw2YO-zOSAWh_nQMCO1fFDdzy4qNRAJJaLS8lDgr30N-GXMAQM-fQjV44s0EQaw9K/w640-h440/Mosely%20Tithe.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">The reconstructed 18th-century map of Moseley by Andy Slater</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The main consideration for grassland management in city parks today is nature conservation, and the value of flower-rich meadows is now appreciated by many local authorities throughout the UK and Europe.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Iq6QI9zEY6niystBR6vY0vDDBXYrTFtoJLG36NBpQl7tB8_o6sRJF9kmKVsR3cQvSFHKSTW6Rgt46VfhhyjEH22mrhp3iY45YIWcvp5q10IWlK4I4twqpjJs66tQyYqJsYah5lQiAXfE0crJshyUgZdxNxGDwx44wSuYyYJd3qlHy34-9Zjx/s1266/Cannon%20Hill%20Moseley%20Tithe%20section%20of%20.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1266" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Iq6QI9zEY6niystBR6vY0vDDBXYrTFtoJLG36NBpQl7tB8_o6sRJF9kmKVsR3cQvSFHKSTW6Rgt46VfhhyjEH22mrhp3iY45YIWcvp5q10IWlK4I4twqpjJs66tQyYqJsYah5lQiAXfE0crJshyUgZdxNxGDwx44wSuYyYJd3qlHy34-9Zjx/s320/Cannon%20Hill%20Moseley%20Tithe%20section%20of%20.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Cannon Hill section from the Mosely Tithe map<br />by Andy Slater</span></td></tr></tbody></table>We can see from the likely 18th-century reconstructed map that the area now known as Cannon Hill Park was a combination of pasture and meadow and part of the River Rea floodplain. The land at this time was enclosed, to form a patchwork of fields which were probably divided by hedge and ditch. The Great Oak, around 400 years old (6-metre girth) has stood over the current area that we now call Cannon Hill Meadow, and has witnessed the changes since the days of James I and Charles I.<div><br /></div><div>Our meadow lies immediately east of the river and was probably flooded annually until modern flood alleviation engineering reduced the occurrence.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the 1980s the meadow was sown with a mix of corn meadow species including poppy, corn cockle, cornflower, corn marigold and others to provide a vibrant and colourful annual display, and many people remember this and comment on its loss.</div><div><br /></div><div>The meadow was effectively destroyed in the 2000s by the nearby construction of a large water treatment plant, the meadow site being utilised for the deposition of many tons of excavated soil. This was eventually cleared and the site was re-landscaped following the completion of works. It was then decided to create a meadow with perennial flowers rather than annual.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The wildflower mix (2010)</b></div><div>The initial sowing, following reinstatement, contained a mix of perennial species including, Kidney Vetch, Wild Carrot, Yellow Trefoil, Black Knapweed and many others.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-RX0eyLLjZON0QZ0z5_93r4-P32cfkm0UaG-iSAiTZ8Do7LgQGGFQwQj66pR_fsUKWDU738DRyttqbDdYGnFt0FasKNWgVjeeni4iiPxFOmeliwVpODfE1DzrbjawWqnUPZ6xbQ5dzvT2uPGagJIZkJHRz6sjOwQmibsN2ci5ChU55RUxZbM/s4032/IMG_0048.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-RX0eyLLjZON0QZ0z5_93r4-P32cfkm0UaG-iSAiTZ8Do7LgQGGFQwQj66pR_fsUKWDU738DRyttqbDdYGnFt0FasKNWgVjeeni4iiPxFOmeliwVpODfE1DzrbjawWqnUPZ6xbQ5dzvT2uPGagJIZkJHRz6sjOwQmibsN2ci5ChU55RUxZbM/w400-h300/IMG_0048.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Common Spotted Orchid</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The early year results were okay with a balance of grass species and other flowering plants, some, like the Kidney Vetch and Wild Carrot doing very well the first two or three years, before eventually disappearing.<div><br /></div><div><b>Hay strewing (2016)</b></div><div>Hay bales from a Worcestershire flower-rich meadow were imported via The Nature Improvement Area scheme, financed by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSv-NxmiVcfZfWOepNFUgov_U3pRY1NO0CCVNZZAWNoXbsqhcLJ3FLUmb6yliJ9HcbslZ780j2LydHFOMxHCDfqoHo5aJlIvRm15nCY-XAoY6jWLlt2n683Wapcqf_W9pYs91Jn-PCF2Ovy7JIKQi4Fya5BfFTzcDTf51zkvg-fTpuSObtrHe/s4032/IMG_1234.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSv-NxmiVcfZfWOepNFUgov_U3pRY1NO0CCVNZZAWNoXbsqhcLJ3FLUmb6yliJ9HcbslZ780j2LydHFOMxHCDfqoHo5aJlIvRm15nCY-XAoY6jWLlt2n683Wapcqf_W9pYs91Jn-PCF2Ovy7JIKQi4Fya5BfFTzcDTf51zkvg-fTpuSObtrHe/w300-h400/IMG_1234.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">2022 partial cut and collect</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Since the 2016 hay strew, many new species have been introduced and seem to be thriving in the new setting. Common Spotted and Green Winged Orchids bloomed in good numbers and other species, such as Black knapweed, vetches, and trefoils have also flowered well this year.</p><p>Follow this video link to see a variety of plants and invertebrates living in the meadow</p><p> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=885311538485357">https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=885311538485357</a></p><p>This year we decided to cut just half the meadow and leave the uncut vegetation as a winter habitat for small mammals, amphibians and invertebrates. This will then be cut early next year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-92072488483691502272022-09-17T03:12:00.000-07:002022-09-17T03:12:02.758-07:00Mediaeval Birmingham<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8ZmcfZ--dBTCjYBi7zmk1kw_e1iab9IMObI7Onz50BAgqCzpfXMqbOATDF6itk6lKCspr7mBL7GFPVSYJxW-gRbtegPLfeLvgiFvZaERnKctNKv4SaaZdMjdCPvkQYfdgcfogxP4EuI6YPLayEdJk1OwMnUF4cyhy-B_8UoW2WCyXjcjfTTJ/s2424/IMG_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2424" data-original-width="1911" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8ZmcfZ--dBTCjYBi7zmk1kw_e1iab9IMObI7Onz50BAgqCzpfXMqbOATDF6itk6lKCspr7mBL7GFPVSYJxW-gRbtegPLfeLvgiFvZaERnKctNKv4SaaZdMjdCPvkQYfdgcfogxP4EuI6YPLayEdJk1OwMnUF4cyhy-B_8UoW2WCyXjcjfTTJ/w504-h640/IMG_1124.JPG" width="504" /></a></div><br /> Mediaeval Birmingham is one of 20 walks featured in this handy pocket booklet compiled by Archaeologist Dr Mike Hodder and Sue Whitehouse from Birmingham Museums Trust.<p></p><p>It's an intriguing walk, and helps to establish a vision of Birmingham's mediaeval past with clarity and ease, combined with a few surprises.</p><p>The ever changing nature of modern cities can soon render these descriptive walks obsolete, but in this case, the 1000+ year history maintains an existing and centralised focus around St Martin's Church, with reference to nearby archaeological excavations.</p><p>Mediaeval features mentioned -</p><p>1. Pinfold Street - part of the mediaeval road between Birmingham and Dudley</p><p>2. New Street - Temple Street crossroads, broadened at this point to form a market place in mediaeval times.</p><p>3. New Street - the site of the Guild Hall of The Holy Cross</p><p>4. Nelson monument - looking over the mediaeval market place next to St Martin's Church and the nearby manor house </p><p>5. Mediaeval walling and stone effigies inside St Martin's Church</p><p>6. Gloucester Street Indoor Markets - excavated site of mediaeval tanning</p><p>7. Upper Dean Street looking over the site of the manor house and excavated moat and wall of one of the 13th century buildings</p><p>8. Park Street - underneath Selfridges, a 12th century boundary ditch between the grounds of the manor house and a deer park.</p><p>9. High Street, another widened road for a market place</p><p>10. Dale End - the edge of the mediaeval town</p><p>11. Priory Square - named after the mediaeval priory or Hospital of St. Thomas</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv38ZktsBaBODxMAdlE5VxoII1QYaa16Oi79kopDS5DQgIXYcDZMnMQPq-_wyVQ0tTGLMEXBadYoxCMRCAxRDdGlrhKWnO_pxpbjMPK90l1RCIUVrbHa2v1Z9JXy8WmSrD2bMW2VQBPdqiW-WaHG-AqPk-SFp-pSt9WZERmNwHFfFOB_jaXUEJ/s1301/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="868" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv38ZktsBaBODxMAdlE5VxoII1QYaa16Oi79kopDS5DQgIXYcDZMnMQPq-_wyVQ0tTGLMEXBadYoxCMRCAxRDdGlrhKWnO_pxpbjMPK90l1RCIUVrbHa2v1Z9JXy8WmSrD2bMW2VQBPdqiW-WaHG-AqPk-SFp-pSt9WZERmNwHFfFOB_jaXUEJ/w266-h400/IMG_1131.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-19413067151695260032022-09-16T01:36:00.000-07:002022-09-16T01:36:30.366-07:00In Search of Old Birmingham - Where was the Market Hall?<p> Second walk 'In Search of Old Birmingham' with Down To Earth in The City</p><p><b>Heritage Week 2022 - September 13th - Spiceal Street - The Bull Ring - High Street - Dale End</b></p><p>Although the city centre we have in front of us today forms part of an ever-changing landscape with few features of old, we can still navigate the streets (mostly pedestrianised) with some familiarity of the early 19th and 20th Centuries. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qqhM7xzxYHVgb_WeHbGgo1GV8uYspptEclsfVHHhDaMAbTY-b99eOxkBqPhkZfpyCwUvMrfPZ1zlhKhW83LEY8fYk74_j9VTE1C9uFwvonhp2EhynuUVcrhzhdFwKmqlwTueu257p0Fj1SUmMu38WsdeQLttuM9FqYlKazjb2QOzbQKxdsVL/s4032/IMG_0997.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qqhM7xzxYHVgb_WeHbGgo1GV8uYspptEclsfVHHhDaMAbTY-b99eOxkBqPhkZfpyCwUvMrfPZ1zlhKhW83LEY8fYk74_j9VTE1C9uFwvonhp2EhynuUVcrhzhdFwKmqlwTueu257p0Fj1SUmMu38WsdeQLttuM9FqYlKazjb2QOzbQKxdsVL/w300-h400/IMG_0997.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">2022 Looking south from Spiceal Street towards former<br /> Jamaica Row (St Martin's on left)</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Some street names of old are still in use, and although the original wayside buildings may have changed beyond recognition, we can still visualise, with the aid of maps and images, the old Birmingham. <br /><p>St Martin's Church, the Mother Church of Birmingham, becomes ever more fascinating the more we delve, the more we look, the more we see. A history dating back to mediaeval Birmingham, overlooking and perhaps overseeing everything and all the changes for many hundreds of years.</p><p>From the steps of St Martin's, looking more or less west, our attention eventually turns north up the hill towards High Street. But let's visualise the scene immediately in front for a while. Many of us may remember the 1960s - 2000s setting with the 'new' Bull Ring as was, designed to keep traffic and shoppers apart. By both previous and modern standards the 60s development was gruesome, many would say, a thing of its time, others might argue, but it was short-lived, lasting around 40 years.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9HInMxMVpzOFtO9dsP2n3ZbOIor_fSSxHGG_y_RKJaPJxO_orSxacXhWwP9FNfITAUfDYQzrwRvI6UiZI8aksVAGOwL2P9iOKq10Lh-laxNovuWIN6DrTmlKSlfXSlLeYmOkPnFICwyfsQ13oCpKYya4O585AvkJq6fMdOWQIbJmIJNOGzDb/s2016/Screenshot%202022-09-07%20at%2008.12.02.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="2016" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9HInMxMVpzOFtO9dsP2n3ZbOIor_fSSxHGG_y_RKJaPJxO_orSxacXhWwP9FNfITAUfDYQzrwRvI6UiZI8aksVAGOwL2P9iOKq10Lh-laxNovuWIN6DrTmlKSlfXSlLeYmOkPnFICwyfsQ13oCpKYya4O585AvkJq6fMdOWQIbJmIJNOGzDb/w400-h284/Screenshot%202022-09-07%20at%2008.12.02.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">1970s Bull Ring<br />St Martin's Church out of shot to the left</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>From the church corner in the 1970s, one would have seen the ramp leading to the first-floor shopping balcony, maybe <b>Oswald Bailey's</b> outdoor clothing and camping equipment outlet, <b>The Matador pub,</b> although on the photo above it's called The Blarney Stone, a couple of greengrocery stalls and <b>Woolworths</b> (off shot) to the right. Looking north, the imposing <b>St Martins Circus Queensway</b> loomed menacingly above the open market, with buses, lorries and other vehicles tearing overhead, creating a claustrophobic and airless setting. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQHMoQJuUIuoklO-QVOR3Qjx4uKO5eSBT8L05BOW2brqvOCupcq_fKDlYN-q6FEBFErIyX7gIWX9_cJIEdenfDLhgo5ybDUMAMKa5zJXHhVVeU1FzM-2NXgTFzHdddhQlPlWVpAg0RMCrUqbIY014dqkCPz3jC_HsSvWUDzdrZ53qWpsj_3Rf/s2374/Screenshot%202022-09-07%20at%2013.40.57.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="2374" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQHMoQJuUIuoklO-QVOR3Qjx4uKO5eSBT8L05BOW2brqvOCupcq_fKDlYN-q6FEBFErIyX7gIWX9_cJIEdenfDLhgo5ybDUMAMKa5zJXHhVVeU1FzM-2NXgTFzHdddhQlPlWVpAg0RMCrUqbIY014dqkCPz3jC_HsSvWUDzdrZ53qWpsj_3Rf/w640-h326/Screenshot%202022-09-07%20at%2013.40.57.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">1970s Bull Ring area with the Rotunda (top left of centre) cut off from the market by <br />St Martin's Circus Queensway</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>From the Church pre-1960s, it was a very different setting, for one thing, the city was heavily bombed in the 1940s, causing huge irreparable damage, and resulting in a major rebuild which took more than a decade it seems. The Market Hall for one was only demolished in the early 1960s, following severe WWII 1940s bomb damage.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yBu3ezIqI4qIOElQeP4LQnRtmiMCIdPUhJwt0c_QE-Jpij0u-sCnnad7NOQv0aDc3J6UtVQ7w1cODakDmWTCtisdzoqNuKrI95QAhVibxFCGRA6U3b4EKzsQzyCZMoL73MVh3C5dPVfmCmUOX5pIg57zB_Raqi_h3hKRMC1VoK5GvxIZ92xK/s2534/1880.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="2534" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yBu3ezIqI4qIOElQeP4LQnRtmiMCIdPUhJwt0c_QE-Jpij0u-sCnnad7NOQv0aDc3J6UtVQ7w1cODakDmWTCtisdzoqNuKrI95QAhVibxFCGRA6U3b4EKzsQzyCZMoL73MVh3C5dPVfmCmUOX5pIg57zB_Raqi_h3hKRMC1VoK5GvxIZ92xK/w640-h284/1880.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The 1880s map shows the city layout as was until the 1960s, what these street maps don't reveal is the steep elevation from St Martins to High Street, we get some idea today by the number of steps and indeed the paved incline between Nelson's statue and the present day Bull. It was perhaps a gruelling daily task for the barrow boys as they pushed their fruit-laden barrows from Smithfield to the Bull Ring.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLkbnrC03RWV2PG9qoIJ6qdumfMVhTaa7OiLC_UYPBCtlPBVe9bcc0vFkPoBtYWT7OIG63cmhfeL5FCMgNDpuFq8g1c2sFjACaKRmWGCuBXG_QoNGa-qdreRGAhLd4sPCmwQv_djBpjfPFaNrme34J1i6cyxNz0aSUSbvbR2CpKXPig4bsH6h/s890/Screenshot%202022-09-13%20at%2009.17.46.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLkbnrC03RWV2PG9qoIJ6qdumfMVhTaa7OiLC_UYPBCtlPBVe9bcc0vFkPoBtYWT7OIG63cmhfeL5FCMgNDpuFq8g1c2sFjACaKRmWGCuBXG_QoNGa-qdreRGAhLd4sPCmwQv_djBpjfPFaNrme34J1i6cyxNz0aSUSbvbR2CpKXPig4bsH6h/w546-h640/Screenshot%202022-09-13%20at%2009.17.46.png" width="546" /></a></div>The shape and size of the Bull ring are still evident today, it may even be the same spatial area, at its widest by the church burial grounds and narrowing toward High Street.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wn5k0kOawefxRDbxbcbNlrhFGk5ZA3A2HlJnjmCmNEeUSg7xQlqEZXox8514IA5CrEF94pGTV46nKf0nfc3sbT6RD6SCIbk2FAfyYy6EHm0bruBvxA_fLoZ9-832BLod13MzOLY64ygHGZvM9vx2M-onQVLDrw86CgU6JItB4Z724D0Y5GSy/s1252/IMG_1123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1252" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wn5k0kOawefxRDbxbcbNlrhFGk5ZA3A2HlJnjmCmNEeUSg7xQlqEZXox8514IA5CrEF94pGTV46nKf0nfc3sbT6RD6SCIbk2FAfyYy6EHm0bruBvxA_fLoZ9-832BLod13MzOLY64ygHGZvM9vx2M-onQVLDrw86CgU6JItB4Z724D0Y5GSy/w640-h424/IMG_1123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqFHnfnG8XHcQljBrlpbkrVWxYe-F47lcybQ-mSd07NDOxpYxq1cJ_IrJNk28FAUVZr-g48sKKHx6UtF0SbIbUuyftguJ4k8BGSW26ASb3a2iqd_hRQQ13usrpZbATLTGxzATI8FzCJtM3TYO6zVTRPg0MglvAV7MWaN5ZKw0utf2k2_zCU8B/s4032/IMG_1002.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqFHnfnG8XHcQljBrlpbkrVWxYe-F47lcybQ-mSd07NDOxpYxq1cJ_IrJNk28FAUVZr-g48sKKHx6UtF0SbIbUuyftguJ4k8BGSW26ASb3a2iqd_hRQQ13usrpZbATLTGxzATI8FzCJtM3TYO6zVTRPg0MglvAV7MWaN5ZKw0utf2k2_zCU8B/s320/IMG_1002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>We can pinpoint the former location of the Market Hall with proximity to the 1960s Rotunda.<br /><div><br />Below, 1960s-70s pic showing Rotunda and Manzoni Gardens, former site of the Market Hall.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3A6-gLyue1R2DK6pqvl2QO9D3QwLYfjWq-HCIfBCBzpTQIufftZeBY--vC4aMDwSwT6xhO4uScA0h5FvPnBqYiyTWDnwt7ZelI7bmjHSMXzu-XusMYJ8sIft_PpIJslCTv6ZGX6CRAGxZwF1DO67zggdQtx53bJlgU7XTiiq4Z8W0z7roKJF/s1200/IMG_1402%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1200" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3A6-gLyue1R2DK6pqvl2QO9D3QwLYfjWq-HCIfBCBzpTQIufftZeBY--vC4aMDwSwT6xhO4uScA0h5FvPnBqYiyTWDnwt7ZelI7bmjHSMXzu-XusMYJ8sIft_PpIJslCTv6ZGX6CRAGxZwF1DO67zggdQtx53bJlgU7XTiiq4Z8W0z7roKJF/w400-h249/IMG_1402%202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-63516317994776687142022-09-05T04:50:00.000-07:002022-09-05T04:50:28.645-07:00In Search of Old Birmingham<p>A series of short walks starting from St Martin's Church, aided by maps, images and brief historical accounts, together with memories and anecdotes.</p><p>The aim is to provide visualisation, via 'down-to-earth means', involving walking, talking and a few old images of the city centre before the great 1960s destruction and also from our memories of the marketplace following the 1960s rebuild. </p><p>We're not making a timeline, so the dates will jump around a bit (but you can make one)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJbhN6g-ExyLrlv5Hww71Yuoc9jRcqtYO-T3rAXj2kglnRv-xMjX0qprAne7Dsc12kl7MXYsrUqRd981BYVkViDH3xWLQ0ncRPVTgSvOrebGbNnybd5rKujHdWm_BI_vymCEbkSBQUU1iKx2H479Vi7qegpeB5n2VwwJAGp8aHBUZnIHRONlP/s1636/Jamaica%20Row.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1636" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJbhN6g-ExyLrlv5Hww71Yuoc9jRcqtYO-T3rAXj2kglnRv-xMjX0qprAne7Dsc12kl7MXYsrUqRd981BYVkViDH3xWLQ0ncRPVTgSvOrebGbNnybd5rKujHdWm_BI_vymCEbkSBQUU1iKx2H479Vi7qegpeB5n2VwwJAGp8aHBUZnIHRONlP/w640-h474/Jamaica%20Row.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo article from Birmingham History Forum</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The double rebuild, occurring within 40 years (loosely between the early 1960s and early 2000s), is quite dramatic, creating many anecdotes and conversations about the previous layouts, with buildings, roads and other landmarks disappearing during this period. However, two landmark features remain to provide a geographical reference from which we can locate many long-lost buildings and changing road layouts, the church and the Nelson statue.</p><p><b>Walk 1</b> -<b> Moat Lane towards Bradford Street</b></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBByLPA7eiEawdbCs7Cq26ADLfftmWc0JihIgY3MyJuMuObaE-A--G6z6S3zPfve-5dbB9jWMZdfkUM-fKzezp83UsDt9eOOWbxjqxxpfz5UbEbMgu1Li8BYiOJJDqE3ddOUePjfvZagnL1fDi40NGZ-kmvyQybWYCc0D6osulh1fkoW-i4y2h/s1734/Screenshot%202022-08-22%20at%2012.48.02.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1734" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBByLPA7eiEawdbCs7Cq26ADLfftmWc0JihIgY3MyJuMuObaE-A--G6z6S3zPfve-5dbB9jWMZdfkUM-fKzezp83UsDt9eOOWbxjqxxpfz5UbEbMgu1Li8BYiOJJDqE3ddOUePjfvZagnL1fDi40NGZ-kmvyQybWYCc0D6osulh1fkoW-i4y2h/w640-h372/Screenshot%202022-08-22%20at%2012.48.02.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Martins Church and Nelson's Memorial<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Features of this walk-</b><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>St Martins Church - views from the steps. Former Spiceal Street looking north towards the High Street and south towards Jamaica Row</b></li><li><b>1888 Map with location of Spread Eagle Pub on Spiceal Street</b></li><li><b>1884-1891 OS Map (above) Proximity of St Martins Hotel, Moat Lane, Smithfield Market</b></li><li><b>1960's Photo of St Martins Hotel and St Martins Church</b></li><li><b>1950's map</b></li><li><b>Photo of 1950s Moat Lane showing long lost buildings and surviving ones in 2022 (Bousefield Bros)</b></li><li><b>Two period photos of Moat Lane bustle with entrance to Smithfield Market - looking towards St Martins Church</b></li><li><b>Map of Pubs in Digbeth showing The Talbot on Moat Lane</b></li><li><b>1956 photo of The Talbot, still in use, albeit single storey following Luftwaffe bomb damage</b></li><li><b>Other end of Moat Lane at junction with long lost Moat Row and Bradford Street</b></li><li><b>Location of The Drovers Arms</b></li><li><b>1970s Photos of The Birmingham Arms</b></li><li><b>Location of Birmingham Arms</b></li><li><b>1887 Photo of Market from Moat Row looking towards Digbeth High Street beyond Moat Lane and Bradford Street</b></li><li><b>Photo (possibly late 19th C) Drovers Arms </b></li><li><b>Images of The Moat House prior to demolition in 1815</b></li><li><b>Bradford Street building still in existence, "Butchers, Hide, Skin, Fat and Wool Company limited</b></li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8nnDw4g3Oa3otbot-vwMo5S3bBrfu56PVfmIfXKJOxzUKqKBfd_MAsVxuRMLrlE7zikVBjiXlJ9Z2xk2W8ge_vz6Z3uPMUtwPNV1WIxtb0j3sDe9uG2-PZpjQl4CDJOSK9g9TvcYx5tEJcTcR290IMS6q5G8ziAXIB9-jhQxmtaCE3Y9ZEVs/s1258/walk%20poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="896" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8nnDw4g3Oa3otbot-vwMo5S3bBrfu56PVfmIfXKJOxzUKqKBfd_MAsVxuRMLrlE7zikVBjiXlJ9Z2xk2W8ge_vz6Z3uPMUtwPNV1WIxtb0j3sDe9uG2-PZpjQl4CDJOSK9g9TvcYx5tEJcTcR290IMS6q5G8ziAXIB9-jhQxmtaCE3Y9ZEVs/w456-h640/walk%20poster.png" width="456" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-77776883750722636832022-08-13T04:01:00.005-07:002022-08-16T02:10:33.774-07:00Talking of Bulls<p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyv6Jn6QKRw8i3l_IMOBlUaVWKY7WSJM2iVUh1IlEO1gZyHqMpfL2JO8kK5wAWq-BKn5q80wQ74HiszaO4aqvD-73k_VkYcB1j0-hE4DvUJ-yrzO3EbjvCAM-3CFZNgiV5scEfeSlMGe8F47XJCfWG5B6Y061pj7ItneT4_WW1xvy91GhwBxHJ/s960/IMG_0727.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyv6Jn6QKRw8i3l_IMOBlUaVWKY7WSJM2iVUh1IlEO1gZyHqMpfL2JO8kK5wAWq-BKn5q80wQ74HiszaO4aqvD-73k_VkYcB1j0-hE4DvUJ-yrzO3EbjvCAM-3CFZNgiV5scEfeSlMGe8F47XJCfWG5B6Y061pj7ItneT4_WW1xvy91GhwBxHJ/w480-h640/IMG_0727.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Welsh Black (a statue) on the road between Rhayader and Llandiloes<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The famous Black Ox, also known as the Welsh Black was herded overland from Wales to England for a thousand years.<p></p><p>This perhaps should be the model for Birmingham's iconic Bull.</p><p>Its stature is impressive, its pedigree renowned and its contribution to industrial heritage should be highlighted in any discourse related to Birmingham's historic meat markets.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2TCPT6pz33DhLiwiRqk9IV9ij3y6BM0nglV2gLbV54n9uf7DevdDZX8rfZDYTU6zvckgCzp1HDD1Bxczm6guHnfSDWMwEKH3jWG_J3Y9uJElzSXBtjIdz6jUIorGzxbswMWudjpFoKl8BpRhxQBvx-lewQLSyCZ7xXIVoQFfjm358YosIFdR/s1792/IMG_0737.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2TCPT6pz33DhLiwiRqk9IV9ij3y6BM0nglV2gLbV54n9uf7DevdDZX8rfZDYTU6zvckgCzp1HDD1Bxczm6guHnfSDWMwEKH3jWG_J3Y9uJElzSXBtjIdz6jUIorGzxbswMWudjpFoKl8BpRhxQBvx-lewQLSyCZ7xXIVoQFfjm358YosIFdR/w185-h400/IMG_0737.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bulls Head pub, Kings Norton</td></tr></tbody></table>The image of the fabled black bull or the black ox can be found throughout Wales and England.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwtb8qf8p9CGGVrIZgJQJO0Mqc79EePxDDODAzEGub2OkbUSzXKy-TFiqeVaml3nPrrY-gUjZycaYqlh3lHEsjqEWLbcULImSkAY4T2BY3ph2EGWNQNAIXD0sghtDEKIcxearUcPlprhbwpjjQWyBnfz_avjwfDdEfyHGG39LXTTpuJHkPR9j/s1152/Screenshot%202022-08-10%20at%2014.06.35.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="870" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwtb8qf8p9CGGVrIZgJQJO0Mqc79EePxDDODAzEGub2OkbUSzXKy-TFiqeVaml3nPrrY-gUjZycaYqlh3lHEsjqEWLbcULImSkAY4T2BY3ph2EGWNQNAIXD0sghtDEKIcxearUcPlprhbwpjjQWyBnfz_avjwfDdEfyHGG39LXTTpuJHkPR9j/w303-h400/Screenshot%202022-08-10%20at%2014.06.35.png" width="303" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bulls Head pub, Moseley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Likewise in Birmingham, it's the Welsh Black that is often depicted, as seen on pub signs in Kings Norton and Moseley.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is claimed that the Welsh black is one of the oldest breeds in the UK, bred for its resilience to the climate of the Welsh hillsides, as much as for its milk or meat.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a recent visit to Llanidloes in mid Wales, and following a few drinks with the locals at the Crown and Anchor, the topic of conversation turned to The Welsh Black Ox, and with some enthusiasm it turned out.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-67kCQ07yehhKTGkflpNkagpJZleRBGsDp_BPV2PF4ZjZOxsZ-Lf0MBpHHNDzUsz24majV3h2BtMqhLwu_D_xhpqCcxU88dbfZnA46GJujbyxa0sgbOgRKiEa0QX6UX4NhS9bJKPfEBG0nrp3jixZWPRdz3FHBfdId6T1rT3LgvfmgeVAyEJN/s1600/2dd73a54-d4b5-434c-aa91-7a53f2d97010.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-67kCQ07yehhKTGkflpNkagpJZleRBGsDp_BPV2PF4ZjZOxsZ-Lf0MBpHHNDzUsz24majV3h2BtMqhLwu_D_xhpqCcxU88dbfZnA46GJujbyxa0sgbOgRKiEa0QX6UX4NhS9bJKPfEBG0nrp3jixZWPRdz3FHBfdId6T1rT3LgvfmgeVAyEJN/w400-h300/2dd73a54-d4b5-434c-aa91-7a53f2d97010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanidloes</td></tr></tbody></table>The interest in the Droving history of the Welsh Black to England was instantly apparent. In fact, Ray, looked the part, we were soon on first-name terms. Ray wore a cool black brimmed, cowboy-type hat, not a stetson, but something less conspicuous, even for Wales. He was eventually the most engaged in the conversation, and whilst offering little in the way of new information, he seemed to relish the fact that his forbears were Drovers back in the early 19th century. He related accounts from childhood and stories told in the pub by his grandfather, passed through the generations. <br /><div><br /></div><div>It is perhaps little wonder that pub names, such as The Bulls Head, The Bull, The Bull and Bladder, The Black Bull and The Black Ox are frequently found around Britain, for the bull was one of the earliest forms of currency, with the Black Ox bank being one of the first money banking institutions.</div><div>According to one source, there are currently over 100 pubs bearing the name 'Bulls Head' in England, most of them in the Midlands counties, and of course, many more have been lost over the past 100 years. For me, a local lost Bulls Head Inn at Overend, Cradley closed in the 1980's.</div><div><b><u>Bravado</u></b></div><div>I remember several places in which "Beware of The Bull" signs were displayed, often I suspect to deter walkers from entering the field. But it was perhaps well to heed these signs, and I recall lone standing, moody-looking beasts, seemingly scowling and tempting the trespasser to take a chance 'if you dare'. Lads might goad each other, 'chicken' one might torment another, in an attempt to dare-a-dash across the sentinel's lair. Accompanying stories of ferocious bulls, goring or trampling to death unsuspecting devilish fools, ensured we, certainly I, never attempted the 'bull run'. </div><div><br /></div><div>The practice of bull running was carried out in England until it was made illegal in the 1830's, yet the excitement of an escaped cow on way to the abattoir is perhaps remembered by those once living nearby. In Colley Gate, Cradley, during the 60's there were frequent escapades, and as the word went around many of us would dash out, hoping to see a crazed bovine charging about the streets. It was of course, a sad sight.</div><div><br /></div><div>The practice of 'running the bull' still goes on today in Pamplona, Spain, with 16 goring fatalities occurring since 1910, along with many hundreds of injuries.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIIb1ZtNhH2HHXz0tR2g_IeHAQ_kGMrYfQirWBG472UNGqIXNHTRWzTrG4ySKHQFhX1ech0ZocEJw6lu4r_e1C8MtaNZwe5kpSkz-rF_kGr9I7YNqGoy1ayOR1bjdHMCPAJemKRAxFtuAimpO2W4Cn4pv6f_x0dBVOUKAFjp_DmJdEY4NUZWH/s1664/Screenshot%202022-08-13%20at%2011.35.38.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1664" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIIb1ZtNhH2HHXz0tR2g_IeHAQ_kGMrYfQirWBG472UNGqIXNHTRWzTrG4ySKHQFhX1ech0ZocEJw6lu4r_e1C8MtaNZwe5kpSkz-rF_kGr9I7YNqGoy1ayOR1bjdHMCPAJemKRAxFtuAimpO2W4Cn4pv6f_x0dBVOUKAFjp_DmJdEY4NUZWH/s320/Screenshot%202022-08-13%20at%2011.35.38.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument in Pamplona</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pIyXLPoAx-xXWJh1bNqibfIR6OV7iHXx1mq05__5llgvAJ3VTTrzqI52BVzjmv8S_lEUPxopAQzLIFERYhNYQbl7y3OVUcyR6NievBDqcRXVw1uyayYJfQl6gBeLYlCyi7Rt9jiJKQgIi56sAlyfMhbIRtLn7yHxYM7tyS1IAqsbXCjkwxFn/s1688/Screenshot%202022-08-15%20at%2010.51.52.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1688" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pIyXLPoAx-xXWJh1bNqibfIR6OV7iHXx1mq05__5llgvAJ3VTTrzqI52BVzjmv8S_lEUPxopAQzLIFERYhNYQbl7y3OVUcyR6NievBDqcRXVw1uyayYJfQl6gBeLYlCyi7Rt9jiJKQgIi56sAlyfMhbIRtLn7yHxYM7tyS1IAqsbXCjkwxFn/w400-h297/Screenshot%202022-08-15%20at%2010.51.52.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The symbol of the bull can be found throughout Spain, and the Osborne Bull is now iconic as the unofficial Spanish emblem.<br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_bull">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_bull</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><p><br /> </p></div></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-64045412906150097862022-07-18T05:08:00.042-07:002022-07-18T08:31:29.105-07:00Meat in the City (The Expanding Market Place)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPqo6GLW5s28AOg5PgdlySRJjyQt_MMN6HOjZmOOfLcXgh1AhU6pp90aXHCqa_2zr6xxTIEAdCwFFYqgvuGFEfMcuCqMNVykVbSQdZIlKSioVSBGI7FZIGa6stQvN4HlFI0KdWqeJBnG7a5KKtD4dorBU618lImm8J9Y5Adf5VaVJDS2eT7fD/s3889/AD86ABD2-C6F9-465C-9D2A-33D87AFA5A67_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1641" data-original-width="3889" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPqo6GLW5s28AOg5PgdlySRJjyQt_MMN6HOjZmOOfLcXgh1AhU6pp90aXHCqa_2zr6xxTIEAdCwFFYqgvuGFEfMcuCqMNVykVbSQdZIlKSioVSBGI7FZIGa6stQvN4HlFI0KdWqeJBnG7a5KKtD4dorBU618lImm8J9Y5Adf5VaVJDS2eT7fD/w640-h270/AD86ABD2-C6F9-465C-9D2A-33D87AFA5A67_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div>Whilst this image above is not of Birmingham, the scene, setting and statement are easily qualified for any major city in the UK.<p></p><p>We get a sense from this beast market scene of the hustle between traders, customers, and local authorities, together with the imagined yet pervasive odours, noise and organised chaos from the herded beasts. An earthy atmosphere indeed, surrounded by inner-city dwellers, living with the weekly incursion of out-of-town droves, including people, cattle, sheep, pigs and geese as well as numerous other livestock. Prior to the railways in Birmingham, around 1838, these animals would have travelled hundreds of miles in some cases, especially the cattle from Anglesey, an arduous task for man and beast, but a necessary one that had occurred and prevailed over many hundreds of years.</p><p>I envision a somewhat hostile setting with people striving by fair means or foul to make a profit and/or a living, hoping for a top price or a bargain using wit and banter and a language of their own, often used to confuse the market authority.</p><p>The top hat and coat-tailed gentry are evident, bankers maybe, with an overview of business and quality of merchandise, making a weekly visit, part social, part business, part escape from other daily demands.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp1QPrBzjS-TLmlQ429vnlBV6LWq18yDiorLuTkaIMHFbsBrcjIFmbKwSpyumMPJHson04iDPdEvcKP5eLxmXgTQSyvzCOqi5CWG9pxefVYmL7gFwWzZe3h6fAetx5BHcGUV7xtuzil3T9N0RCSLNm1EyMpzW6tc6eOeKjojNx5jcfJ9Bo_7F/s824/Screenshot%202022-07-18%20at%2016.22.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="824" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp1QPrBzjS-TLmlQ429vnlBV6LWq18yDiorLuTkaIMHFbsBrcjIFmbKwSpyumMPJHson04iDPdEvcKP5eLxmXgTQSyvzCOqi5CWG9pxefVYmL7gFwWzZe3h6fAetx5BHcGUV7xtuzil3T9N0RCSLNm1EyMpzW6tc6eOeKjojNx5jcfJ9Bo_7F/w400-h355/Screenshot%202022-07-18%20at%2016.22.46.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>The round hat and smock of the Drover with a stick can be seen, managing the beast order with skill and guile, eager to get business done, securing the funds and catching up with gossip at The Drovers Arms on Bradford Street.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIYt0EqYEpVglCF6Ew6cxVfgr_ss5L0TDroVhrofW_bNbjsbTLQh1-A1vAdM8aXL8UX9fOg4wA2FNfQXaePVNBnwyxV3bCyoPA6MxbC3YGabw_iE7bV8fFPDDs1vzGaHX41Nm2nsKxau8MT_obON3f2dhhPpNyO7hBsxuAOJNqyBLO379cvXA/s606/Screenshot%202022-07-18%20at%2016.23.06.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="606" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIYt0EqYEpVglCF6Ew6cxVfgr_ss5L0TDroVhrofW_bNbjsbTLQh1-A1vAdM8aXL8UX9fOg4wA2FNfQXaePVNBnwyxV3bCyoPA6MxbC3YGabw_iE7bV8fFPDDs1vzGaHX41Nm2nsKxau8MT_obON3f2dhhPpNyO7hBsxuAOJNqyBLO379cvXA/s320/Screenshot%202022-07-18%20at%2016.23.06.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Other hats, including bowlers and caps, suggest personnel with other businesses linked to the marketplace, no doubt sometimes devious in its nature, a place to find the renowned scally, the outright thug, the joker and a place to meet the like-minded. The hat serves as a mode of identification, purpose and intention.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2-NXGXggaUJ6PsAv5NhYMU4JFvYbL6iyIVp1iax-gGvE06DihYxiwZKMGTqSBdiqjC5CjQxM9QSImE_Cf3-gvkN8ahBZiijYFdchWgMDUWp6skyWIbQMYFOaCM0wLJWlVcJlVKvJBdrxMhtgH1HoCUs2RN9W454lwgvafv3WA2vaVi74rh0k/s824/Screenshot%202022-07-18%20at%2016.22.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">The Drover was expected to be an honourable man, with the abilities of strength and resilience, whilst trustworthy and astute, and likely, a folk hero of reputation from a far-off place, both tough and poetic and versed in mountain lore and legend, myths and stories.</span></span></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2-NXGXggaUJ6PsAv5NhYMU4JFvYbL6iyIVp1iax-gGvE06DihYxiwZKMGTqSBdiqjC5CjQxM9QSImE_Cf3-gvkN8ahBZiijYFdchWgMDUWp6skyWIbQMYFOaCM0wLJWlVcJlVKvJBdrxMhtgH1HoCUs2RN9W454lwgvafv3WA2vaVi74rh0k/s824/Screenshot%202022-07-18%20at%2016.22.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_07Am6MPAaFVC5X0VcvYy_5YrZ0oZijyIzL72Z_z9yyyKin6W4tvbHA9kgc7HvLc3ejQG-cG94tjNQNYA2ETmhr0UwjbvdAB4jnsCBD5yJWQL_rGyGfbpGHP8jCG2nzWYcfrSYTKosf6G4oUc_eeAKbpfcbkGKGblGbd9gOecQZa3D8NJK32m/s1360/Screenshot%202022-07-16%20at%2008.18.03.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="898" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_07Am6MPAaFVC5X0VcvYy_5YrZ0oZijyIzL72Z_z9yyyKin6W4tvbHA9kgc7HvLc3ejQG-cG94tjNQNYA2ETmhr0UwjbvdAB4jnsCBD5yJWQL_rGyGfbpGHP8jCG2nzWYcfrSYTKosf6G4oUc_eeAKbpfcbkGKGblGbd9gOecQZa3D8NJK32m/s320/Screenshot%202022-07-16%20at%2008.18.03.png" width="211" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">The Drover statue at Llandovery</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Sentimental maybe, but why not? Wales was a far-off place to many, and replete in folk tales. Yet also, there were, no doubt characters of dubious renown, the marketplace, with its energy and excesses, created good picking for the opportunists. Even the occasional Drover was open to temptation.<div><br /></div><div>There were many 'slaughter houses' and abattoirs in and around the city, the pervasive smells we can only imagine, but based on the odours emitting from the Bissell/Barford Street Abattoir today, we can safely suggest it was extremely rural and rustic and certainly earthy.</div><div><br /></div><div>The late 19th-century map of Birmingham below shows the slaughter houses on Gloucester Street, and accounts from the Birmingham History Forum mention slaughterhouses on Bordesley Street, Meriden Street, Chapel Street and Rea Street, all in Digbeth and Deritend</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalqcJOrB340YkLTArqh5i1caBiU5dmHNAd2iH1MRKtq_k86ANXzf6WMv_cqT0A1TpiN7AAyPaIT_D1dZQ2nBvxj4eDUjFLMOVjEpEBHRlvNXl3j1qODiLgP5PI1EX000YkLbEu2DvK7e43T3tYfQLIoMzsBVFTn6fJUkkNnkeZKkydcB9gLsV/s2020/Slaughter%20Houses%20on%20Gloucester%20Street.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="2020" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalqcJOrB340YkLTArqh5i1caBiU5dmHNAd2iH1MRKtq_k86ANXzf6WMv_cqT0A1TpiN7AAyPaIT_D1dZQ2nBvxj4eDUjFLMOVjEpEBHRlvNXl3j1qODiLgP5PI1EX000YkLbEu2DvK7e43T3tYfQLIoMzsBVFTn6fJUkkNnkeZKkydcB9gLsV/w640-h406/Slaughter%20Houses%20on%20Gloucester%20Street.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Slaughterhouses near St Martins</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwboSPdyzZ9zQFuY_6icxDagJA2b1OucPNpaSYDR36On563FiyrlUl15Enq_T2saCdH9E9KxbpfO7O7W3HltbyC3LhcoC2VxnSr4j7KfD_k9KarY2f7GYiO-B8nh7BjdF_HE3Kd2TjLzRPTZzkPN2PdplXnWYNoXa1h87zqAjMtd9eRekZxej/s1046/s%20arms%20moat%20lane%201901.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1046" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwboSPdyzZ9zQFuY_6icxDagJA2b1OucPNpaSYDR36On563FiyrlUl15Enq_T2saCdH9E9KxbpfO7O7W3HltbyC3LhcoC2VxnSr4j7KfD_k9KarY2f7GYiO-B8nh7BjdF_HE3Kd2TjLzRPTZzkPN2PdplXnWYNoXa1h87zqAjMtd9eRekZxej/w640-h398/s%20arms%20moat%20lane%201901.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: #141414; font-size: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">The City Meat Market is the large building on the right. It was built in 1897 so quite new when this photo was taken. It cost £127,833 and covered 3.5 acres. The tower was in fact a water tower and the round building was the Round House where I first started work in 1952. The Architecture was typically Victorian and designed to look more like something from the Middle East. Inside were wrought ironwork pillars and galleries. Today buildings like that would be preserved but the then City Engineer Mr Manzoni swept many of these iconic examples of our past away. If anyone has more photos of the market I'd love to see them. (From Birmingham History Forum)</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZXa-Tzv1gjFuDcnvUtaL2MrteBX0UR4ojH7To-TYKdxAvGGacsL9iA7kgidRUDUU9jxQZr12RqrRh-Wgg5Eysl_0Qwo0pXEENE0NBxEKesigXsNvnHwaaXIh6l79YDv-SCeCVF1GM2pfjxbXgRjlfnidOJq0cmWmAf70ALWtlyvHsSoikHid/s672/Screenshot%202022-07-18%20at%2012.44.33.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZXa-Tzv1gjFuDcnvUtaL2MrteBX0UR4ojH7To-TYKdxAvGGacsL9iA7kgidRUDUU9jxQZr12RqrRh-Wgg5Eysl_0Qwo0pXEENE0NBxEKesigXsNvnHwaaXIh6l79YDv-SCeCVF1GM2pfjxbXgRjlfnidOJq0cmWmAf70ALWtlyvHsSoikHid/w283-h400/Screenshot%202022-07-18%20at%2012.44.33.png" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">If not Birmingham, this would have been a <br />common mid-19th century scene in many cities.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><div><p></p><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-8060512119785693432022-06-25T07:14:00.000-07:002022-06-25T07:14:30.739-07:00Down To Earth in The City gets an airing<p><b> Welcome To Brum</b></p><p>A series of exhibitions at The Arches Project, hosted by Evette Edmeade<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpZRU1ygMksD7Qmwv4esl0WLI5b_eWfk4X1sfK6K0MIfEWuYJ1-D0BzNyTUb_Q_c2W3sWOFqawyRJEnqpRhM0pX6SLYamCWXshiFgBDo0hU3ZMmdwsyOjMepVoenbKM1EZ6FCw-lHCyxQFWtj3Ij_YmbepyVpYV6eqWSkz_SLbT--9-g8ETJU/s4032/6A5534CA-FBD9-42A2-A4B7-FDDE5F52EF57.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpZRU1ygMksD7Qmwv4esl0WLI5b_eWfk4X1sfK6K0MIfEWuYJ1-D0BzNyTUb_Q_c2W3sWOFqawyRJEnqpRhM0pX6SLYamCWXshiFgBDo0hU3ZMmdwsyOjMepVoenbKM1EZ6FCw-lHCyxQFWtj3Ij_YmbepyVpYV6eqWSkz_SLbT--9-g8ETJU/w400-h300/6A5534CA-FBD9-42A2-A4B7-FDDE5F52EF57.heic" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><b>The Night Air</b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Down to Earth in The City was aired last night (23rd June 2022) at the marvellous Arches Project on Adderley Street, Deritend.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">City Archaeologist, Dr Mike Hodder gave an inspiring talk about the origins of the early market and trading settlement around St Martins Church, and the ancient roads carrying traders from far and wide.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The central site we now call the city centre holds a fascinating story, and thanks to Mike and other Archeologists, the story slowly unfolds to a new audience.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The 'Ever-changing Birmingham' story will no doubt be written one day, presenting Birmingham in all its glory as a perpetually changing City with 12,000 years of evidence, enabling a vision of the ice age environment, via beetle remains and a later woodland setting with pollen identification, through to the early farming settlers, the market place and the mediaeval growth leading to industrialisation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Outside currently, is a chaotic scene as the High Streets of Digbeth, Deritend and Bordesley undergo another transformation, leaving the pedestrian somewhat confused as they negotiate the slalom of Heras fencing, but the motor car deterrence is also evident, allowing for a somewhat peaceful, Sunday morning-like atmosphere. Peaceful, yet chaotic, a dichotomy indeed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Taking advantage of the never-ending city centre upheaval, we have an opportunity to grasp new vistas as the demolition unfolds; there we see St Anne's on Alcester Street, exposed to the pedestrians of the High Streets of Deritend and Bordesley for the first time in decades.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Wider panoramic vistas are temporarily evident, before the City rises to once again obliterate.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC7Zp0Nx57g9j-tvwipljNjJs27ACqJ7eMGeo5KPdk0NrjeECLKyUtZbok7Pto9RipMkRwxeviSgVf3sxwKZkbn9pM6M1EL076FSehUfclIU_4lXkz860sKZBwaXT9L6TOK4ZthnUdEqdoLpUXN9eSzRBswqoMfSsXG7VupRTmsyUGj7Hc0qL/s4032/3B483A3D-63C5-4AC6-B0C9-82F09C3CB47F.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC7Zp0Nx57g9j-tvwipljNjJs27ACqJ7eMGeo5KPdk0NrjeECLKyUtZbok7Pto9RipMkRwxeviSgVf3sxwKZkbn9pM6M1EL076FSehUfclIU_4lXkz860sKZBwaXT9L6TOK4ZthnUdEqdoLpUXN9eSzRBswqoMfSsXG7VupRTmsyUGj7Hc0qL/w640-h480/3B483A3D-63C5-4AC6-B0C9-82F09C3CB47F.heic" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Upper Dean Street looking South-East across the former wholesale market, towards Highgate Park, The Rowton House and St Albans Church, the prominent tower blocks at Highgate stands above all else.<br /><br />Today the city prepares the foreground site for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games 2022, and soon this open space will once again attract the attention of the archaeologists, as this was the former site of the Moated Manor House. <br />The current development plans for this site are, as yet unknown.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FmbAk7FGfNlglBr_74XgbRQDlCe7rfQXsxlo0DPg6KUnQhmZhFtPrlZre6YejKbgIzqlgcFWjbARv2HI52d2KOkQzDY9B7UqwYD67sYTLR8FX2edZtzbQjjSqxVm_eSccN2eoQgMqgswFnpmjSwHtu59wDg37oo1az1j7njMV9tgzOg9jYcr/s4032/8E1A47B2-F282-4598-90EA-29C7588C6C33.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FmbAk7FGfNlglBr_74XgbRQDlCe7rfQXsxlo0DPg6KUnQhmZhFtPrlZre6YejKbgIzqlgcFWjbARv2HI52d2KOkQzDY9B7UqwYD67sYTLR8FX2edZtzbQjjSqxVm_eSccN2eoQgMqgswFnpmjSwHtu59wDg37oo1az1j7njMV9tgzOg9jYcr/w640-h480/8E1A47B2-F282-4598-90EA-29C7588C6C33.heic" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Alcester Street<br /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: #141414; text-align: start;">a fine Roman campanile, the structure was built privately as the chapel of a hostel for working boys by Father John Lopes. He was an Anglo-Catholic clergyman who in 1915 before the building was finished, joined the Church of Rome. The small basilican church was never used for services. Indeed, it has always served secular purposes.</span><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: #141414; text-align: start;"> (Birmingham History Forum)</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1Mos5mLKpR9Lc2EnhUu4Nmn9cmB9Gx-rIJrttC7ncZnVG98HaQqg46wMvV3wlo0EE-6lLSSGrKWhhEsjua0SGT23-NN0S4FBjLsnY8A2l1tC4AfAgbYxivtpRUsmH5lbCZs2MWHX0D7iH8qOuvXXSjt_YYsNeyVcVV9ofvzR1BSCnynhTi7N/s4032/E6E4A61A-AF3D-46B8-9D14-9F4B2BD84CE0.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1Mos5mLKpR9Lc2EnhUu4Nmn9cmB9Gx-rIJrttC7ncZnVG98HaQqg46wMvV3wlo0EE-6lLSSGrKWhhEsjua0SGT23-NN0S4FBjLsnY8A2l1tC4AfAgbYxivtpRUsmH5lbCZs2MWHX0D7iH8qOuvXXSjt_YYsNeyVcVV9ofvzR1BSCnynhTi7N/w640-h480/E6E4A61A-AF3D-46B8-9D14-9F4B2BD84CE0.heic" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Alcester Street towards Digbeth and City Centre<br />St Martin' Spire left of centre</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY6ZpOJGDTkfQDI17D47sSJUPc6_V2yJI3X9txIun3D6ara7CwSmKNomeU1pgDfbcX-oHTLOyV5XBLzYwK-SmqJg6EHANWXQyUK8CiTiyFFImCq_dE8bbgcP2eGVfHwpaOlTw4wtrsb2AHPF_9dr-cXeNA9CxY3yXRDbSVMHVDfZNh0ELLxPy/s4032/FC708CDA-1D0B-4DAA-8808-8D2E37A0AA05.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY6ZpOJGDTkfQDI17D47sSJUPc6_V2yJI3X9txIun3D6ara7CwSmKNomeU1pgDfbcX-oHTLOyV5XBLzYwK-SmqJg6EHANWXQyUK8CiTiyFFImCq_dE8bbgcP2eGVfHwpaOlTw4wtrsb2AHPF_9dr-cXeNA9CxY3yXRDbSVMHVDfZNh0ELLxPy/w640-h480/FC708CDA-1D0B-4DAA-8808-8D2E37A0AA05.heic" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Alcester Street towards The Old Crown<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">At 10pm on the walk home, the night air is still and warm and pervades with the smell of beasts from the nearby abattoir. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It could be that the current clean air zone regulation is successfully and beneficially impacting the local atmosphere and the pervasive sheep odour is now prominent when previously it was masked by car emissions.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It prompted thoughts of the early beast markets as Birmingham's population grew rapidly through the middle ages and into the industrial turmoil. The demand for meat grew alongside, and new market spaces and increased trading created an influx of noisy and odorous cattle, sheep, pigs and fowl. An immense attack on the senses for all animals involved, humans included.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the discussions at the opening event was about Birmingham's perceived and somewhat faltering ability to promote itself. The Brummies are down-to-earth people, we agreed, happy in their own skins, no-nonsense, no-pretence, not boastful, humble maybe, and yet confident in knowing who they are.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I suggested that communication with the market traders will give us a good idea of what's important to Brummies, and what's not. Next project for me!</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Next exhibition at The Arches-</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvwfdKaLpUb3k8wRlCV8iLw2FGelZ4jpv_cvCycaamfZFIGXZSSfevq4IZ0ShmiUWIVrSWjW0Al4XmIDePJ2-9DuHKkIjs9mDDsTxLBOUH1149JyihrJZkWgpHDSrkJvyW2j5vBSvgAe_wpi-E6r_YLHA2sJDRQQ90A88Ytqaj_cFgwO59dxx/s3648/F4B6129B-BEA8-4FC7-9693-8EFD9A252D96_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2559" data-original-width="3648" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvwfdKaLpUb3k8wRlCV8iLw2FGelZ4jpv_cvCycaamfZFIGXZSSfevq4IZ0ShmiUWIVrSWjW0Al4XmIDePJ2-9DuHKkIjs9mDDsTxLBOUH1149JyihrJZkWgpHDSrkJvyW2j5vBSvgAe_wpi-E6r_YLHA2sJDRQQ90A88Ytqaj_cFgwO59dxx/w400-h280/F4B6129B-BEA8-4FC7-9693-8EFD9A252D96_1_201_a.heic" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-8542972231173613122022-05-23T05:11:00.001-07:002022-05-23T05:11:44.384-07:00<div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5pvIDBCJH8X4E42Y9MV9_4qfd7eQovZ1a2pQuzvcodSvJVOmDksKfkHPbQ7k5hblQEc9PDbX2WyXzwfCscAGA2JBSA-8W1r4kUVh5mITtEPnggB2Ft7rn7oRLKyDfqGPe5Gz_b54zqRFpFr8eeSnvyoXuouLfGQPS3AToK3tsWrC7K-QRac4s" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5pvIDBCJH8X4E42Y9MV9_4qfd7eQovZ1a2pQuzvcodSvJVOmDksKfkHPbQ7k5hblQEc9PDbX2WyXzwfCscAGA2JBSA-8W1r4kUVh5mITtEPnggB2Ft7rn7oRLKyDfqGPe5Gz_b54zqRFpFr8eeSnvyoXuouLfGQPS3AToK3tsWrC7K-QRac4s" width="240" /></a></div></div></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Herculanum;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Down To</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Herculanum;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Earth in The</span></div></span><span style="font-family: Herculanum;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">City</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"> A conceptual approach embracing the city of Birmingham, its history, pre-history, archaeology and sociology alongside modern concepts such as ‘The Biophilic City’ and 'The City Of Nature’.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">Thousands of stories are yet to be told, as we explore the prehistoric, archaeological and historical source evidence through discussions, debates, speculations and folklore.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">As well as embracing the learned and academic works of historians and archaeologists such as Professor Carl Chinn MBE and Dr Mike Hodder, we aim to share our personal accounts, anecdotes, hearsay and foggy memories, to ensure we maintain down to earth accessibility.</p><div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">Our indoor meetings take place at Pacha House, The Friends Hall and Institute on Moseley Road, Highgate.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">The changing nature of Birmingham is a constant theme, with changes to the city infrastructure occurring almost every year from its earliest 12th-century beginnings as a small marketplace of no particular significance through time to today's upheaval as the City prepares for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">Trams came and went and are back again.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><b>Wildlife -</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqNnGVlVhi8G2AvX5uJZlbooMZbl4COK06HuKDQPXmVdLTD6CXYsg6BpuIytsak1Kca0sn88Rh5f_PnZ9spanqoGBSIbfIu5XYl0mg9WMwNvWVL9WliuuEUfnUieRiwwLcC_-rbtIXMq8ZTQ5kDJFSEJCy3P1cFDhHEBNeZVji-LCSXptv7WmM" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqNnGVlVhi8G2AvX5uJZlbooMZbl4COK06HuKDQPXmVdLTD6CXYsg6BpuIytsak1Kca0sn88Rh5f_PnZ9spanqoGBSIbfIu5XYl0mg9WMwNvWVL9WliuuEUfnUieRiwwLcC_-rbtIXMq8ZTQ5kDJFSEJCy3P1cFDhHEBNeZVji-LCSXptv7WmM" width="240" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">The green spaces are now acknowledged as essential places for the well-being of Birmingham citizens and organisations such as BCC Park’s Services, Birmingham Open Space Forum and The Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust collaborate to ensure the natural environment and green open spaces are top of any political agenda. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">Wildlife recording via the B&BC Wildlife Trust’s Eco Record is of the highest calibre, with some of the best-kept records in the UK. These records are used to inform decision-makers and planners, and all citizens are encouraged to engage in the recording process using iNaturalist, a phone application, making recording and identifying wildlife easier than ever before. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"> In time it is hoped that all Birmingham schools and children will engage with and contribute to this wildlife recording programme. Without a doubt, our quality of life is enhanced through connections with nature, and it should not be a specialist topic for the nerdy, but an essential aspect of lifelong learning for everyone.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><b>Meetings, walks and talks -</b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">Our meetings at Pacha House are friendly and relaxed, as well as light-hearted, thus enabling a no pressure learning environment. Topics are always down to earth and diverse, ranging from archaeology and pre-history to debates on human health and dignity of life and death. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">We explore the local built environment around Highgate, Balsall Heath and Deritend, and marvel at the historic buildings such as the old Highgate Fire Station, St Albans Church, the Samuel Heath factory and the Arches at Deritend.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">We observe and record wildlife and have plans to manage some nearby, green, but neglected spaces, and to add fruit and other food plants.</p></div><div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><b>Lost industries, streets and pubs, the changing cultural nature of Birmingham - </b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">One of the first topics we explored was the ‘cattle run’ from the railway sidings at Highgate and along Bradford Street to the abattoir and markets in the city centre, likened by some observers of the day to the “wild west”.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">En route were many drinking houses, long gone, but bearing testimony to the past culture and industry, for example, the Drovers Arm, the Shepherds Rest and the Market Tavern (still standing but currently closed).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpMFDe41mTfIhu5dRKgb9WFtw3FUa--85lBUCFsLTQzOXZqy03PGIlAaHTH_mglJbxRKwRb6KMfkgKuglfuj5NBlAkmZ0EynV4ANTFQG5TgUtdqMGop_v87_87Lqkl-4gozvDyJDoUcY9XblkfJeVnyX_onlL--6bioPDVmEZnQHvRb-P2PkGz" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="2002" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpMFDe41mTfIhu5dRKgb9WFtw3FUa--85lBUCFsLTQzOXZqy03PGIlAaHTH_mglJbxRKwRb6KMfkgKuglfuj5NBlAkmZ0EynV4ANTFQG5TgUtdqMGop_v87_87Lqkl-4gozvDyJDoUcY9XblkfJeVnyX_onlL--6bioPDVmEZnQHvRb-P2PkGz=w640-h413" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"> Top left and right - Emily Street and the Emily Arms, looking towards Vaughton Street.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">Bottom right - same orientation with houses built where Emily Street once ran.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">Streets and communities too have disappeared, especially in Highgate during redevelopment in the 1960s; streets such as Emily Street, Dymoke Street and Angelina Street have been partially redeveloped, cutting short their previous extents. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><b>Views from Highgate - </b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">An 18th Century view of the City from Highgate Park</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUprJTRUCfHC_gXW6O4sqkwP3BLWTsmrt6IJEw4tQ0l_B9XHctLPJswWSqmE3t392zmBqxx18Ms66tNtz_-RssLyJ7_QvvNznVoYW__jpFYnwH7p7dWWp1fY2Eu6WCaEcSZqDUKCw0TKd7x-x1gRIi6GD3JKlzaYjKIgZwWdtz-2rbZYqh7IgL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUprJTRUCfHC_gXW6O4sqkwP3BLWTsmrt6IJEw4tQ0l_B9XHctLPJswWSqmE3t392zmBqxx18Ms66tNtz_-RssLyJ7_QvvNznVoYW__jpFYnwH7p7dWWp1fY2Eu6WCaEcSZqDUKCw0TKd7x-x1gRIi6GD3JKlzaYjKIgZwWdtz-2rbZYqh7IgL=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgugr21YMi6hQdtJaSWXhBu_nhp600XgRWEeNl0L08WblaeXskMkfT29rlBZQw3R9daHbRYDbTrnrl_icAX5E2p3z205vQ9Wfrjsc1PW3F9kZC5ZyDrXGIlKdM783hwumwJ9p5LZBkUvuh9g47OtPH18zD3P-mWZhiM6I0t8xX5RflqxhmpVjeG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="2274" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgugr21YMi6hQdtJaSWXhBu_nhp600XgRWEeNl0L08WblaeXskMkfT29rlBZQw3R9daHbRYDbTrnrl_icAX5E2p3z205vQ9Wfrjsc1PW3F9kZC5ZyDrXGIlKdM783hwumwJ9p5LZBkUvuh9g47OtPH18zD3P-mWZhiM6I0t8xX5RflqxhmpVjeG=w640-h222" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">The pillars and steps within the park are little changed today</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: left;">The Cityscape of course is very different, although some buildings exist today, but are obscured by modern towers</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><b>Hidden Histories - </b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><b>Memories and anecdotes - </b>A valuable source of historical accounting can be found in the unspoken and unwritten detail hidden within the memory. The ‘active archive’ for me is what resides in the mind, in the memory, and seeks an opportunity to reveal itself to an audience. A single willing listener in the pub or the cafe is all that’s required to glean the priceless details hidden within.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">Birmingham History Forum is a great source of primary accounts from people who remember the lost pubs, streets and communities.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;">For more information about Down To Earth in The City, check out our Facebook page or the Blog or email <a href="mailto:downtoearthinthecity@gmail.com"><b>downtoearthinthecity@gmail.com</b></a></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><a href="https://coppicing.blogspot.com/2022/04/">https://coppicing.blogspot.com/2022/04/</a></b></span></p><div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><br /></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><br /><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14px;"><br /></p></div></div></span></h1>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-38377062903459002572022-04-13T05:41:00.003-07:002022-04-20T02:16:52.698-07:00Down To Earth in The City Wayside Flowers<p> Wayside Flowers are not <span style="font-size: x-large;">WEEDS </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwUBFAkeKr5ZIRIDsmUj3SpPsry7Gpf7n-o8Inqahl82b5WMHJv7M7DWmI0Eg0c1mD8CURIt8JpYX50tT73n2rXRptU2vuW3vwKtZgjbk0RJWY1KBMVsAf4e-u7m0HPk4MGfeaOn2vJTE4ilQM3p3YijvDNxdD2neLa1LTBnmEd5Qozk79mXB/s4032/IMG_1568.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwUBFAkeKr5ZIRIDsmUj3SpPsry7Gpf7n-o8Inqahl82b5WMHJv7M7DWmI0Eg0c1mD8CURIt8JpYX50tT73n2rXRptU2vuW3vwKtZgjbk0RJWY1KBMVsAf4e-u7m0HPk4MGfeaOn2vJTE4ilQM3p3YijvDNxdD2neLa1LTBnmEd5Qozk79mXB/s320/IMG_1568.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Dead Nettle<br />(Lamium album)</td></tr></tbody></table> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Wayside Flowers </span>are essential nectar-rich supplies for many invertebrates in the urban environment.<p></p><p>If we allow them to flourish they will also provide untold pleasures for the wayside walker and long-lasting memories for youngsters on their daily walkabout.</p><p>For some reason, local authorities spend many thousands of pounds in an attempt to destroy our naturally growing wild plants and growers spend many thousands of pounds suppressing wild plants in gardens and allotments. </p><p>Every wild plant has a name and a valuable connection to other plants and animals, giving a hint of its true value.</p><p>The very term, 'weedy', is a misnomer, often used to suggest weakness and something to be rid of, yet on the contrary, these plants are hardy, resilient and strong, often growing in inhospitable places and pioneering the way for a succession of other plants. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimiJ__NopB_Kx4VE05nXN9Kr1hMPy-lcgUGCrhUnWZAvdRUf1zgZxICvbJakQ1RQhIiWo4-liQjBDCuuoVKCqNwUnbdAFXWYAs3O_PiHioYFGUAZPzkgDCtxZXqviyfoxzbFu6SPLoy949SHrEiXYMfr8OPFbxxnUYIVFGtkbnwYOCLk6XyGv/s1732/Screenshot%202022-04-13%20at%2013.33.28.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1732" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimiJ__NopB_Kx4VE05nXN9Kr1hMPy-lcgUGCrhUnWZAvdRUf1zgZxICvbJakQ1RQhIiWo4-liQjBDCuuoVKCqNwUnbdAFXWYAs3O_PiHioYFGUAZPzkgDCtxZXqviyfoxzbFu6SPLoy949SHrEiXYMfr8OPFbxxnUYIVFGtkbnwYOCLk6XyGv/w640-h360/Screenshot%202022-04-13%20at%2013.33.28.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Danish Scurvy Grass has rapidly colonised roadside verges and edges over the past few years, the particular environment induced by turbulence and saline conditions enables this plant to thrive.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Medicinal</u></b></div><div>All medicines, therapeutic potions, restoratives, balms and salves as well as our digestive enzymes, derive, either directly or pharmaceutically from plants. The word 'drug' is related to the French word 'drogue', meaning dry herb. Today, most if not all licensed medicines are synthetically produced and controlled by strict regulations, but there was a time when many folk would refer to the local apothecary for their cure, and in some parts of the world this is still the case.</div><div><br /></div><div>Herbalists today, although not strictly medical professionals have a great store of knowledge about wild botanicals and their healing properties and are often consulted on a wide range of ailments. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's a good time of year to begin a journey of wayside or wildflower discovery and identification; for as early as February we see new shoots bursting forth from the desolation of a hard winter. it's a fascinating journey in which every wayside flower, escaping the destruction from herbicides, has a name, a story and a connection to the wider world, yet they are often overlooked, abused and obliterated, to everyone's loss.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPC5vwoNILnoNNecajNNPpHF3sv15wjRLSnb-muMs4hmn8K5vhx4WyuNly1lQpFpQza03n_CzT1FqbDE9ozlmmhCzQBwVgXIGe3uNmajJcKGGrdh2X3ZzSUXTlVhUxXar78P36kLQ_N2Q7pZrd7AFCDx8A1jBkCqj9eX01zd40bqIbDyepsIh/s2823/IMG_1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2823" data-original-width="1734" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPC5vwoNILnoNNecajNNPpHF3sv15wjRLSnb-muMs4hmn8K5vhx4WyuNly1lQpFpQza03n_CzT1FqbDE9ozlmmhCzQBwVgXIGe3uNmajJcKGGrdh2X3ZzSUXTlVhUxXar78P36kLQ_N2Q7pZrd7AFCDx8A1jBkCqj9eX01zd40bqIbDyepsIh/s320/IMG_1637.JPG" width="197" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Plant and Planet (Published 1974)</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">A globally scaled insight into the world of plants, an engaging read with an intriguing chapter 'Man The Manipulator' addressing our engagement and marriage to the world of plants.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMG9ZktC1ydAhTUWRPFl6g1-MCR6WPompt_xtuKxPDtSrrVGQThlgzHsPSOiECmVlmQnLsVRR-D-2iCryi0Brqtu72x-vRQcxPgsNSib_E678WbpYfZ24biYI-vgCBST0Y4ldiWc5wDn4gyIsvk72Sbs29xY_sIr8BoL8IhtJrOQAphw3cynO/s3311/IMG_1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3311" data-original-width="2203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMG9ZktC1ydAhTUWRPFl6g1-MCR6WPompt_xtuKxPDtSrrVGQThlgzHsPSOiECmVlmQnLsVRR-D-2iCryi0Brqtu72x-vRQcxPgsNSib_E678WbpYfZ24biYI-vgCBST0Y4ldiWc5wDn4gyIsvk72Sbs29xY_sIr8BoL8IhtJrOQAphw3cynO/s320/IMG_1638.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>The Cabaret of Plants (Published 2015)</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The covers speak for themselves and in this case, can be relied upon to judge another excellent Richard Mabey outcome.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FqK8ZDQPHvI04YkAIEe2s6VWyniZG26mzemspgQXQ29wFWV8Sh8n1-sAr8ZdrA3CxHs5f9gyod1lq2BzYepiDWOKc8PyRfTlyBHHQM0SnFWDrGCyrnOF-KSjME_YLVVDwL6Vua7nTjoC_MAB5IuM06jgBy2Jz5E0rB2Iak2lS1Dtz90_iNa9/s3221/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3221" data-original-width="2154" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FqK8ZDQPHvI04YkAIEe2s6VWyniZG26mzemspgQXQ29wFWV8Sh8n1-sAr8ZdrA3CxHs5f9gyod1lq2BzYepiDWOKc8PyRfTlyBHHQM0SnFWDrGCyrnOF-KSjME_YLVVDwL6Vua7nTjoC_MAB5IuM06jgBy2Jz5E0rB2Iak2lS1Dtz90_iNa9/s320/IMG_1639.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A good place to begin our search for wildflowers is along the street and into the local park.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next stop, is a reliable field guide, with descriptions, illustrations and an accessible key to unlocking the discoveries.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>The Wild Flower Key (Published 1981 and 2006)</u></b></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwPNtkNFI-dRFFZqAuNgNn6LGX7WtsDBs_y3sfbvBKPmta41tICjG8FIVvvppDkJLas1RIilGgXJakSML7uM7CayrdxJQaNKhdIems9TWJ8zrgDXQ0Tf6F-tTyaefXpa7MerHTuPd9Jd8tniTbEWNq75acI56Ur0gbfSGarBnNvcqdG1naMWs/s2554/Screenshot%202022-04-13%20at%2013.40.29.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="2554" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwPNtkNFI-dRFFZqAuNgNn6LGX7WtsDBs_y3sfbvBKPmta41tICjG8FIVvvppDkJLas1RIilGgXJakSML7uM7CayrdxJQaNKhdIems9TWJ8zrgDXQ0Tf6F-tTyaefXpa7MerHTuPd9Jd8tniTbEWNq75acI56Ur0gbfSGarBnNvcqdG1naMWs/w640-h306/Screenshot%202022-04-13%20at%2013.40.29.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-22477548513632187312022-03-24T01:04:00.002-07:002022-03-26T01:50:21.472-07:00Down To Earth along the River Rea to Beorma's crossing<p> Down To Earth in The City - a look at the River Rea</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGmUD5wS9h-yBOQpxUWHoGNPwadfmppDiyRxKqnPcCHhxS6HTCLdqvT_NgBSdV8u3ilQJIdjPoIczrqyhu13uotYzxDXmumNZSR7FEoMngLFu2zKRUc0G-bGI43dCVS-4FENBjPBAYbH3HYdVuEKv8i8L1st-bD7mnzMHwOOInur7xl6D0WI1F=s1630" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1630" data-original-width="815" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGmUD5wS9h-yBOQpxUWHoGNPwadfmppDiyRxKqnPcCHhxS6HTCLdqvT_NgBSdV8u3ilQJIdjPoIczrqyhu13uotYzxDXmumNZSR7FEoMngLFu2zKRUc0G-bGI43dCVS-4FENBjPBAYbH3HYdVuEKv8i8L1st-bD7mnzMHwOOInur7xl6D0WI1F=w200-h400" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Across the Rea Valley from Moor Green</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhc6gGTHLFMKzZQ6pwDl4NbxhluB3xw7vaLaohQMATK2S2-IuniPKmyT50jKDmnuWcucr3Bxfh4fRt8U_ICDqPd_9hQnAMMM8ton_8fbRu1F9-ZpGiGKZBEn8fC7peZ450kcXjYmATy1sWnZnxKk84hUNf9t2_YMwiMoI7sv4MgnpIvA8aRlaa=s1792" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhc6gGTHLFMKzZQ6pwDl4NbxhluB3xw7vaLaohQMATK2S2-IuniPKmyT50jKDmnuWcucr3Bxfh4fRt8U_ICDqPd_9hQnAMMM8ton_8fbRu1F9-ZpGiGKZBEn8fC7peZ450kcXjYmATy1sWnZnxKk84hUNf9t2_YMwiMoI7sv4MgnpIvA8aRlaa=w400-h185" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Cityscape of Birmingham foregrounded by woodland above the River Rea</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Harry Reeves, God rest his soul, could be the most well-known enthusiast, when it comes to appreciating the River Rea, although many of the early settlers to the region probably appreciated its resources just as much.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju4RxTlo1UsOEPO5vZL0ow0y-SY5SpN6LAahL2z2US2vG0hT7HZW6Ld9P92zsaa3-6BVv7c4puAyc9lglnne2hsKnct3Q-BjpBeySMgnzD021jDJVH10idVZ9rxu1lFSqiJSPVqUhK7JdGev_z_NPjS3kKCZjgaDPktY2OgxWXlBAoWBLpKAaf=s688" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="688" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju4RxTlo1UsOEPO5vZL0ow0y-SY5SpN6LAahL2z2US2vG0hT7HZW6Ld9P92zsaa3-6BVv7c4puAyc9lglnne2hsKnct3Q-BjpBeySMgnzD021jDJVH10idVZ9rxu1lFSqiJSPVqUhK7JdGev_z_NPjS3kKCZjgaDPktY2OgxWXlBAoWBLpKAaf=w400-h191" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">detail of 'East Prospect of Birmingham'</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>William Westley's 18th-century image of Birmingham from the east depicts a jolly occasion with grazing cattle and anglers on the banks of the Rea.</div><div><br />The source of the Rea springs from the slopes of the Waseley Hills in Worcestershire, before journeying in a north-westerly direction to join The Tame just south of Spaghetti Junction.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4XCAoaPXz2H9cw8tZPu7bUMOqy5wf7txecqKwrx7Lv8AkRxcrquKHFWLR6T0Mh23ubllBDjQYufMxF_3hI5OJjwl2C9u2A1ErUZu-6ENhPxKKjZ1FLSZN9OTFvAniVWASc_argmpGphGSQosA84w-_xLDhwYYrjlu4fCIBpLg-C1GHTRZu-9G=s3919" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3919" data-original-width="2727" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4XCAoaPXz2H9cw8tZPu7bUMOqy5wf7txecqKwrx7Lv8AkRxcrquKHFWLR6T0Mh23ubllBDjQYufMxF_3hI5OJjwl2C9u2A1ErUZu-6ENhPxKKjZ1FLSZN9OTFvAniVWASc_argmpGphGSQosA84w-_xLDhwYYrjlu4fCIBpLg-C1GHTRZu-9G=w279-h400" width="279" /></a></div>This whimsical tribute to the river provides a splendid account of one man's association with the river from boyhood to adulthood.</div><div><br /></div><div>Harry takes us on a journey through time and space with poetic descriptions of memories and places along the river course, along with collected anecdotes of flooding and industries. He recounts the history and very beginnings of Birmingham when the Saxon tribe of 'Beorma' settled and made a home on the gentle slopes of the Rea near Digbeth and Deritend.</div><div><br /></div><div>We shared experiences and our associations with rivers at the Pacha House meeting this week (15th March 2022). The Clyde, The Tyne and The Severn featured in our memories, swimming, crossing, gazing were all parts of our past associations with these magnificent waterways.</div><div><br /></div><div>Roger Deakin in his book 'Waterlog', provides accounts of 'a swimmer's journey through Britain' and brought to our imaginations the adventures and perils of wild swimming. I've met a few wild swimmers since this book was published in 1999, their imaginations captured by Roger's audacious attempt to swim Britain, in the face of unknown obstacles, not least the weight of the law as well as health and safety commentators.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqh-027oJGedkJpImDv3aDfTTuMoSZmvRs-DNhxAn04wOP564mu4JJgIy1N3P_TllRsVcG-YXP1Y7ZLg2ctImwElEViKG8kxZNeg1gc5aw5J-A8oGqWCv0rRFzeSoOiGuk0TuAkEI91-ekMq4G8ho-92btFxTPu6lMLKokqY1Y4-RnNHdQ35zP=s1210" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqh-027oJGedkJpImDv3aDfTTuMoSZmvRs-DNhxAn04wOP564mu4JJgIy1N3P_TllRsVcG-YXP1Y7ZLg2ctImwElEViKG8kxZNeg1gc5aw5J-A8oGqWCv0rRFzeSoOiGuk0TuAkEI91-ekMq4G8ho-92btFxTPu6lMLKokqY1Y4-RnNHdQ35zP=s320" width="219" /></a></div>As a youth, The Severn was our mighty river for fishing, boating and swimming, little did we realise at the time that this serpent has claimed more lives than any other British river.<div><br /></div><div>The Rea, whilst benign most times, also has treachery in its history trove, claiming many lives, the latest just a few weeks ago. It is a volatile body of water rising and falling quickly in accordance with rainfall and capture along its course between the Wasley Hills and the city centre. The surrounding urban developments aid the flooding process, causing grief to many, as their homes are inundated time and again. It is a much 'engineered' waterway, canalised and sunken by as much as 5-10 meters in places between Cannon Hill and Deritend.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEdjVyFdWkqgBTgrhEOkYM3y-eXJ0AISPyXCmZfRutoAXRFavupuoI2rWCMGJ_4nRgML_l4nhVrUXl9dyAB5rdm9Xsc5dKa5jLDylRUDc4mowmCDlupPDbaTJbshUj0K3lCTPcgGY_NzO8Z9JGIlIXcczOQmn6KjjbsaahTF_KDXaN5NE-mLW2=s3679" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="From source to confluence with tributaries" border="0" data-original-height="2738" data-original-width="3679" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEdjVyFdWkqgBTgrhEOkYM3y-eXJ0AISPyXCmZfRutoAXRFavupuoI2rWCMGJ_4nRgML_l4nhVrUXl9dyAB5rdm9Xsc5dKa5jLDylRUDc4mowmCDlupPDbaTJbshUj0K3lCTPcgGY_NzO8Z9JGIlIXcczOQmn6KjjbsaahTF_KDXaN5NE-mLW2=w640-h475" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">From source to the confluence with the Tame </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <u><b>WILDLIFE</b></u><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1LVL39sm-R7A7ZjMI20mCb-0NYDYLoVbHJE4kHiYi_-idESnuK1bMU6S8xxGBnb9_nVFaMVr3VNOjGEXFIxn1oZETb3tt9gHEepFkC0A5MxftJuyX21GN02x6xMi79kcgLIwZzyYyoqFFzEtaufoyZhAsQ-_hr2_xKS5bvqBt8XZY6zAwg9dI=s1373" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="937" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1LVL39sm-R7A7ZjMI20mCb-0NYDYLoVbHJE4kHiYi_-idESnuK1bMU6S8xxGBnb9_nVFaMVr3VNOjGEXFIxn1oZETb3tt9gHEepFkC0A5MxftJuyX21GN02x6xMi79kcgLIwZzyYyoqFFzEtaufoyZhAsQ-_hr2_xKS5bvqBt8XZY6zAwg9dI=s320" width="218" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T<span style="color: #2b00fe;">he Rea by the MAC (sketch by Naima)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>There are many wildlife surprises to be discovered on a walk along the Rea. Whilst not renowned for its fish stocks, mainly because of extreme engineering in the past, destroying all semblance of habitat, it is nonetheless an important habitat for small fish and other aquatic feeding birds and mammals. There are mixed anecdotal accounts regarding the quantity and quality of fish in the Rea, but in recent years, the river has become home to birds such as Dipper and Little Egret, whilst Kingfisher and Heron have been residents for many years. Thus suggesting a healthy food chain.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wildest areas are to be found upstream of Cannon Hill Park</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The water quality is generally good today- certainly compared to past years when pollution from factories, housing and farmland was once a constant factor contributing to the depletion of water oxygen, but recent improvements alongside better pollution detection and control, have included the removal of weirs and reforming of the river bed in places to allow better access for fish movements, spawning and feeding.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Xmk05XD_Vam1mH0Z2q_xBBQ0zeaASSIivwJ3sW6Cm77B13EQJp6YMvxOG3WIRW6jubWcKUfm-ZXIpZ8r1QFHdpw6YMhnqhemwUQqhYJK2eX7kgFy8XN7ArNmYz2MYHjI-BRs3Q95FxlEw8GLWf_BhN0TQuwalPRtx8fHKnZbbG7Ru4OI-8lz=s791" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="791" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Xmk05XD_Vam1mH0Z2q_xBBQ0zeaASSIivwJ3sW6Cm77B13EQJp6YMvxOG3WIRW6jubWcKUfm-ZXIpZ8r1QFHdpw6YMhnqhemwUQqhYJK2eX7kgFy8XN7ArNmYz2MYHjI-BRs3Q95FxlEw8GLWf_BhN0TQuwalPRtx8fHKnZbbG7Ru4OI-8lz=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Rea near Cannon Hill</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 1.2em;">Arch of the Beorma Tribe</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">In 2002 Birmingham's </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Medieval"><span style="color: black;">medieval</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> history was commemorated by the placement of a set of ornate rolled steel memorial arches in Gooch Street on a bridge over the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Rea" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="River Rea"><span style="color: black;">River Rea</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> in the suburb of Highgate by artist Steve Field,</span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> which reflects upon the foundation of the city and on modern Highgate's local identity. The memorial says "near this river crossing an Anglian tribe led by Beorma founded Birmingham". (Wiki)</span></span></div><div><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2UZq99gzku2-51xRR3sVhwDoXXJidiAIvMnCWjKMSNsZQniulTm4zvyBTqvy2_2mdtYlaJNhD5fHR3okIDjGFbOXoipMaCWRd7r3IO1wwMIFKT6H939_v6ARvMOdv1HdKL_X5kEQpVwWe9T7Hg5fRAe8wapOgukXWbVN4nyy54LAMYmgPuVN/s440/IMG_1355.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="440" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2UZq99gzku2-51xRR3sVhwDoXXJidiAIvMnCWjKMSNsZQniulTm4zvyBTqvy2_2mdtYlaJNhD5fHR3okIDjGFbOXoipMaCWRd7r3IO1wwMIFKT6H939_v6ARvMOdv1HdKL_X5kEQpVwWe9T7Hg5fRAe8wapOgukXWbVN4nyy54LAMYmgPuVN/w640-h328/IMG_1355.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge over the Rea at Highgate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p></div><div><br /><div><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-12112066718145577072022-03-08T10:49:00.010-08:002022-03-08T12:15:15.031-08:00Down To Earth in The City<p> 8th March 2022</p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My first 'Down To Earth in The City' meeting with newly found friends at Pacha House was a most rewarding event as our vibrant discussions and chatter ranged far and wide. I enjoyed the dynamism and enthusiasm held in an informal and comfortable setting, as we deliberated our ideas, concerns, personal interests and anecdotes that spanned the globe and decades, with memories and recollections that bonded our individual circumstances.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Later, a private tour of the Friends Institute was a nice and unplanned event, thanks to Sue, revealing staircases, ornate bannister rails, corridors, antique shelving and other wooden fixtures together with empty and cold meeting rooms, mostly unused today and belying their glorious past since 1897.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiijLx-feYsS7P-zgNWTWv-T10q_Azyb1b3TBHezdVkB-rI4gcOiqG169ymwZnbGy9nfA5ViIZ53OFdb1N6adKeOnJLtM7I6QxRQzpk5DoU5ULg79gJa0KSISKPEDyTc2XbZ7OS2715WN151shdLpbNJOs448Bj5CrTrrObl-qClG2MS_x3Jbr-=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiijLx-feYsS7P-zgNWTWv-T10q_Azyb1b3TBHezdVkB-rI4gcOiqG169ymwZnbGy9nfA5ViIZ53OFdb1N6adKeOnJLtM7I6QxRQzpk5DoU5ULg79gJa0KSISKPEDyTc2XbZ7OS2715WN151shdLpbNJOs448Bj5CrTrrObl-qClG2MS_x3Jbr-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Tucked away with indignant abandon was a bust of the founder, sponsor and philanthropist Richard Cadbury.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvtpd_VEwnz37K34PmI7SqZuJwVrt6KDlTYwnJo0l1mODsj9wfz0SIhf7BlMG49ANU7DmPwb-5avZIPhFxJNvAZ272iPJy90agY5WK4DSIgwl5qApB8KxIGHO8l1MfK56lMZNY2ElYdBGvmr9ESlIo3-zykCE35Pi4FoPVUbL_c_JpkTj836zo=s4032" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvtpd_VEwnz37K34PmI7SqZuJwVrt6KDlTYwnJo0l1mODsj9wfz0SIhf7BlMG49ANU7DmPwb-5avZIPhFxJNvAZ272iPJy90agY5WK4DSIgwl5qApB8KxIGHO8l1MfK56lMZNY2ElYdBGvmr9ESlIo3-zykCE35Pi4FoPVUbL_c_JpkTj836zo=s320" width="240" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm looking forward to future meetings and new discussions, revealing something, but not everything, about our individuality and distinctiveness, without breaching our confidential nature, for we are creatures of privacy as well as publicity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today we also talked about Women's football, and I look forward to hearing more of the history of the Women's game which wasn't recognised by the FA until the 1970s. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"The Women's FA (WFA) was formed in 1969."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1971: The FA Council lifts the ban which forbade women playing on the grounds of affiliated clubs"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">NEXT WEEK</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfXeyezTnWngADfms0nRWqY_tyWKY5fz-4wZZGLLG6oRqI-nfMoe5Wq9FmHXlFk3WNXdEvPXxpZD01UKMvZaxr1vF4WQ2Bpo5amt4ivuaUA6csNmScm42HCorcPNn9MPeExyKVvEF4sW8XPtloKeGvVsEXnR7zXEF1oZ-CLKZkFm2FvgqVB0f-=s3919" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3919" data-original-width="2727" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfXeyezTnWngADfms0nRWqY_tyWKY5fz-4wZZGLLG6oRqI-nfMoe5Wq9FmHXlFk3WNXdEvPXxpZD01UKMvZaxr1vF4WQ2Bpo5amt4ivuaUA6csNmScm42HCorcPNn9MPeExyKVvEF4sW8XPtloKeGvVsEXnR7zXEF1oZ-CLKZkFm2FvgqVB0f-=w279-h400" width="279" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: #141414; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></p>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-9123240420199949302022-02-25T14:03:00.022-08:002022-03-08T11:23:09.209-08:00The Cattle Run - and a View from Highgate Park<h1 style="text-align: center;"> The Cattle Run and a view across the City from Highgate Park</h1><div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">A city park, once home to the King Edward VII memorial statue</span></h3><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1fs-KBqIe8gF5x_tx1aOFeHdmUC5F4M1LXgNjrRV_fRe-12gIN2__AI75mc965Yxwls9R3cymqS0xx2aVzYoGC4z6g37O5cDgXZWQFk9yRZ9OOQq_K1KM9heK1rCzF-rjKZOkNELsss27wvmoTqBoMH8SzTi_Z8oS3jceoW08oHQMwH6AaXma=s1332" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1332" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1fs-KBqIe8gF5x_tx1aOFeHdmUC5F4M1LXgNjrRV_fRe-12gIN2__AI75mc965Yxwls9R3cymqS0xx2aVzYoGC4z6g37O5cDgXZWQFk9yRZ9OOQq_K1KM9heK1rCzF-rjKZOkNELsss27wvmoTqBoMH8SzTi_Z8oS3jceoW08oHQMwH6AaXma=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #bf9000;"><span style="color: white;">King Edward VII Memorial at Highgate Park<br /></span></span><span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e3f8f6; font-size: 11.2px; text-align: right;">Photograph by Phyllis Nicklin 1954 of a bronze statue of King Edward VII in Highgate Park. Made in 1913 it formerly stood in Victoria Square and was restored in 2010 and now stands in Centenary Square. See Acknowledgements, Keith Berry</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">W👀</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Albert Toft was the Sculptor, and he was also the artist for the Boer War memorial at Cannon Hill Park</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Memorial sculptures can be controversial as we witnessed in 2020 with the public demolition of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WE CAN'T CHANGE THE PAST BUT WE CAN ASSESS and question HOW WE READ IT AND CHALLENGE HOW IT'S TAUGHT.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu02I7DbX6qY8JVjeB91ifuSy_1d0NGUvmLH3K3pwRHqEauXESkPNaDJD1PNKLYKNgMea_26afzo3XRtdONo11AdgikBTqvNzrzPR7Arn_u7m5ClsKn1pz-8bQ-gpzI4eYyumgYomKrt0ilBeHw8rFh3X8SWd1hOk5gL3gxROmrswiR6fgZsPI=s2050" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="2050" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu02I7DbX6qY8JVjeB91ifuSy_1d0NGUvmLH3K3pwRHqEauXESkPNaDJD1PNKLYKNgMea_26afzo3XRtdONo11AdgikBTqvNzrzPR7Arn_u7m5ClsKn1pz-8bQ-gpzI4eYyumgYomKrt0ilBeHw8rFh3X8SWd1hOk5gL3gxROmrswiR6fgZsPI=w640-h304" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">William Westley's 18th-century view of Birmingham from the east, the city is surrounded by agricultural land, mostly grazing land, with sheep and cattle raised for the ready, expanding market </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUqKnD9-WJOTUdVe24h31S6iCyh8Slw9-S849rnjsUeyfQuFLHqcSwMCrbAcOGtMK7BVy8nhKp4YrPdZ7aCr1WhTIqMytYuzMtsaM536SFwJWow9oRS6bXICII2RuSyWuyx2n1M86DkXSGzlVlAqeQ4XP7YxEYLjjMpZHbnFk2-ZkqGXSV9gm7=s690" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="690" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUqKnD9-WJOTUdVe24h31S6iCyh8Slw9-S849rnjsUeyfQuFLHqcSwMCrbAcOGtMK7BVy8nhKp4YrPdZ7aCr1WhTIqMytYuzMtsaM536SFwJWow9oRS6bXICII2RuSyWuyx2n1M86DkXSGzlVlAqeQ4XP7YxEYLjjMpZHbnFk2-ZkqGXSV9gm7=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Grazing cattle near the 18th-century city centre<br />(detail of Westley's view)<br /> a similar grazing spot was found on the meadows which we now call Highgate Park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The former18th-century landscape is today, brimming with concrete and tarmac, and the view, looking west from Highgate Park is one of a CityScape, intriguing nonetheless.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The park is on the slopes of the River Rea, which is mostly subterranean today as it flows through the city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The river course is just noticeable on the aerial image below, looking closely, it runs more or less parallel to Rea Street, and forms the boundary of Digbeth and Deritend.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjja42tN4DX6jQGRio2rErpGgtXJ5R7NdA5lit2En2fJ56-jgvbV2mqybpwisnsuYVgy5FRIMXLtQXM56U--_hVzXEEEKaXtchqQU3K5m2FrYf6i8sL_sdTke5aFinUO0V_llqIXExR5wh1-B28q7l1zWxVKNeAZlj3M-fGYx6JBpMJPdR-GRBX=s1990" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1990" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjja42tN4DX6jQGRio2rErpGgtXJ5R7NdA5lit2En2fJ56-jgvbV2mqybpwisnsuYVgy5FRIMXLtQXM56U--_hVzXEEEKaXtchqQU3K5m2FrYf6i8sL_sdTke5aFinUO0V_llqIXExR5wh1-B28q7l1zWxVKNeAZlj3M-fGYx6JBpMJPdR-GRBX=w640-h485" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highgate Park environs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In terms of wildlife, one might visualise the wider 18th-century agricultural setting as rich, fertile and fecund, bursting with life in the hedgerows and ditches, woodlands and copses, marshes and floodplains, and so perhaps it was, as wildflower-rich meadow pasture land was buzzing with a myriad of flies, bees, wasps and a multitude of other invertebrate species. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="text-align: center;">"Birmingham's market is likely to have remained primarily one for agricultural produce throughout the medieval period.</span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; text-size-adjust: auto;"> The land of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Plateau" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: auto;" title="Birmingham Plateau">Birmingham Plateau</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; text-size-adjust: auto;">, particularly the unenclosed area of the manor of Birmingham to the west of the town, was more suited to </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastoral" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: auto;" title="Pastoral">pastoral</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; text-size-adjust: auto;"> than </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agronomy" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: auto;" title="Agronomy">arable</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; text-size-adjust: auto;"> agriculture</span></i><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i> and excavated animal bones indicate that cattle were the dominant livestock, with some sheep but very few pigs."</i> (Wiki)</span><br style="text-align: center;" /><ul style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; list-style-image: url("/w/skins/Vector/resources/common/images/bullet-icon.svg?d4515"); margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 1.6em; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><cite class="citation cs2" id="CITEREFButeux2003" style="background-color: rgba(0, 127, 255, 0.133); font-style: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;">Buteux, Simon (2003), <i>Beneath the Bull Ring: The Archaeology of Life and Death in Early Birmingham</i>, Brewin Books, <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-85858-242-9" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-85858-242-9"><bdi>978-1-85858-242-9</bdi></a></cite></li></ul></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But this was changing as the competition for animal pasture and urban development was taking place throughout the region.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are accounts describing the herding and droving of cattle along Bradford Street to the abattoir and meat markets near the city centre, reminiscent of the wild west.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB7_vryZoyZth9IQm98YWMU0eVfOKX17RV47RnHDL248pLtvF9fzQ_bMbOrKQjnAZSXyIYmTzatdNkKxnm0Xl2TV4BP2ZgVWrzWubvUxHpg5xrauZP9Rfa1aL5ZgNVMJ8r2O7RvsleV12vAabbzoYnVNjFo00Cmmkt4WxSou_Km_qZ4xri4cI7=s2346" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="2346" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB7_vryZoyZth9IQm98YWMU0eVfOKX17RV47RnHDL248pLtvF9fzQ_bMbOrKQjnAZSXyIYmTzatdNkKxnm0Xl2TV4BP2ZgVWrzWubvUxHpg5xrauZP9Rfa1aL5ZgNVMJ8r2O7RvsleV12vAabbzoYnVNjFo00Cmmkt4WxSou_Km_qZ4xri4cI7=w640-h178" width="640" /></a></div>Birmingham History Forum<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Drover's roads were ancient farm animal movement routes between pasture and marketplace, and Wales to Birmingham 'drove', enabled the movement of cattle before the railways took precedence. The Chester Road was a major route between North Wales and Birmingham.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.birminghamhistory.net/2014/03/17/the-welsh-road/">http://www.birminghamhistory.net/2014/03/17/the-welsh-road/</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During the 19th Century, we might imagine that cattle, imported from out of town, were transported via Bordesley Cattle Station, corralled at the railway sidings at Highgate, before herding along Bradford Street and on to the abattoir at Moat Row. An awesome sight, if not brutal in its operation, animal welfare, perhaps not top of the agenda.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcn_zwdqfm1oRqRzQ6HFKfv_niZ9ZKnaOnWFaEEjyXOFEA_jvE4uETjYI0hU00WNqrim3DMaNzsq8UUfJjmB2s58Ve13tz8sWibYj2VR1FHv3kR8bD4bWM16AeqxHA4R-VxACzKsQjVp3dM3aklZiHJFh7Szl_a6C6iomugH3dwFlDZzRAJr1_=s1430" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1430" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcn_zwdqfm1oRqRzQ6HFKfv_niZ9ZKnaOnWFaEEjyXOFEA_jvE4uETjYI0hU00WNqrim3DMaNzsq8UUfJjmB2s58Ve13tz8sWibYj2VR1FHv3kR8bD4bWM16AeqxHA4R-VxACzKsQjVp3dM3aklZiHJFh7Szl_a6C6iomugH3dwFlDZzRAJr1_=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bordesley Station<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">"In 1817 the Street Commissioners opened the Smithfield market on the site of the Birmingham Manor House, new wholesale fruit and vegetable markets opened on Moat Row in 1883, and the pig and cattle trades moved to a new market in Montague Street between 1892 and 1898. The wholesale fish market in Bell Street was opened in 1869 and extended in 1883, while in 1897 a new meat market with an attached slaughterhouse was opened in Bradford Street." <a href="https://birminghamwholesalemarket.company/about-us/history/">https://birminghamwholesalemarket.company/about-us/history/</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0EMiFSupV-j3td8OnDnEs9fk1t2rT89O199EVuYsE9dUgrS77EqR2Ob5NBm_fSMDoVQcLTPrYkSW88r-D-diILHCLNfpSCYV4dpq6NDyFRH4-kHPkZ3UXLx5PSx3Qu_WaKynfBn1AU8U4N0_C4FX3iZnsXBOgma8-9aiPX39xCp8tapBibeK-=s2735" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="2735" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0EMiFSupV-j3td8OnDnEs9fk1t2rT89O199EVuYsE9dUgrS77EqR2Ob5NBm_fSMDoVQcLTPrYkSW88r-D-diILHCLNfpSCYV4dpq6NDyFRH4-kHPkZ3UXLx5PSx3Qu_WaKynfBn1AU8U4N0_C4FX3iZnsXBOgma8-9aiPX39xCp8tapBibeK-=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1 class="ep_tm_pagetitle" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.64px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-size-adjust: auto;">The Drovers' Arms, Bradford Street/Moat Row, Deritend, Birmingham</h1><div class="ep_summary_content" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: -webkit-left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="ep_summary_content_left" style="float: left;"></div><div class="ep_summary_content_right" style="float: right;"></div><div class="ep_summary_content_top"></div><div class="ep_summary_content_main"><p class="ep_block" style="margin: 0.25em auto 1em; text-align: center; width: auto;"><span class="person_name">Nicklin, Phyllis</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(1968)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>The Drovers' Arms, Bradford Street/Moat Row, Deritend, Birmingham.</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[Image] (Unpublished)</p><p class="ep_block" style="margin: 0.25em auto 1em; text-align: center; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;">Photograph of the Drovers' Arms at the corner between Bradford Street, and Moat Row. On the right, the meat market and abattoir, built-in c. 1895-7. The photograph, showing a late 18th-century suburb, begun in c. 1767, was taken in late 1968.</span></p><p class="ep_block" style="margin: 0.25em auto 1em; text-align: center; width: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWcXlnCwzuz4H-j8Nlj2c-YqLU3yX71cS3IJn0toPgdpo3_1ZXZW3DnJDLdUR2HAtgOfBL91yu7upWnRBc7JeqG95PkSSC_gCtNAyJr6SkuqJ6zEk_PxMNrjggNcx8LNzrDmZpyHi5PUPYvQ-ESorcV_fmEXTYe112VZoTDY30gZKIY3sT7zbk=s874" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="874" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWcXlnCwzuz4H-j8Nlj2c-YqLU3yX71cS3IJn0toPgdpo3_1ZXZW3DnJDLdUR2HAtgOfBL91yu7upWnRBc7JeqG95PkSSC_gCtNAyJr6SkuqJ6zEk_PxMNrjggNcx8LNzrDmZpyHi5PUPYvQ-ESorcV_fmEXTYe112VZoTDY30gZKIY3sT7zbk=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Gates to the Cattle Market on Bradford Street</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Drovers Arms to the left and the meat market and abattoir in the distance.</span></div><p></p><p class="ep_block" style="margin: 0.25em auto 1em; text-align: center; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></p><p class="ep_block" style="margin: 0.25em auto 1em; text-align: center; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMHzobMj_siJ3mYnlTNoc9ohVCf1ApbGKwHlBskZ72TJL7JRj8nzbnK6LfSKfoWDV39D0ZbOdiQnKBho6DzZkzxvRNG9Tea01SEVItulZs63v9BV-_1KVRdypdCUvW8LhTX1xgAhQK6lr2AlDRH0AG0YPiD-DScriH96I3eGLhLGukhLnM4goH=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMHzobMj_siJ3mYnlTNoc9ohVCf1ApbGKwHlBskZ72TJL7JRj8nzbnK6LfSKfoWDV39D0ZbOdiQnKBho6DzZkzxvRNG9Tea01SEVItulZs63v9BV-_1KVRdypdCUvW8LhTX1xgAhQK6lr2AlDRH0AG0YPiD-DScriH96I3eGLhLGukhLnM4goH=s320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitJLvcCJLf2d-Vpgw55iJ50yKkNpvaWPhHgCb_dTKghRhkUpXDj2FUA_9dlmhbWJ9TzMZ0Y8E9QDF2kaM1AU4BRIlXUtrS919Zl0mHpyLiSgHX53mV_5tKhSnY6sQRI8-jiksSkQ_Osp4QJ_NpCYNhz6VSVvggW6rmLlEwLfQB1-zj_K2oByS2=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitJLvcCJLf2d-Vpgw55iJ50yKkNpvaWPhHgCb_dTKghRhkUpXDj2FUA_9dlmhbWJ9TzMZ0Y8E9QDF2kaM1AU4BRIlXUtrS919Zl0mHpyLiSgHX53mV_5tKhSnY6sQRI8-jiksSkQ_Osp4QJ_NpCYNhz6VSVvggW6rmLlEwLfQB1-zj_K2oByS2=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>Bradford Street - from Highgate to City Centre</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Top; looking towards Highgate</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bottom; looking towards the city centre</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">A cattle run from railway to market<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxr-Hb5WIDOWUPzOvtdM9QiqPRgIswMjbWjGDfR0bGsM9DhMNsLaCjP6akIeXaQgofxfp1DDrancwLH0gghLWJ7s5gQOzJzIQ8kO8eLrTxoKZiauMWMrIQEcSRzvganmmEdEFF97wOe3SUnAAQYUnpwGRK9cW70BfTsiOzOT728RJWV2i1zLxu=s1858" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1858" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxr-Hb5WIDOWUPzOvtdM9QiqPRgIswMjbWjGDfR0bGsM9DhMNsLaCjP6akIeXaQgofxfp1DDrancwLH0gghLWJ7s5gQOzJzIQ8kO8eLrTxoKZiauMWMrIQEcSRzvganmmEdEFF97wOe3SUnAAQYUnpwGRK9cW70BfTsiOzOT728RJWV2i1zLxu=w640-h344" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle pens next to the railway sidings near the Friend's Institute and Highgate Park (1890)<br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From Birmingham History Forum</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: #141414; font-family: arial; font-size: 18px;">"I lived in Showell Green Lane from 1940 until 1961. I remember seeing sheep & cattle being driven along Stratford Road, must have been in the forties, probably from Hall Green Station to the abattoir in Bradford Street."</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: #141414; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">"1897 St Martin's Meat Market moved to new premises (with an abattoir) in the area bounded by Bradford Street, Sherlock Street and Cheapside and re-named the </span><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(20, 20, 20); color: #141414; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">City Meat Market"</i></span></span></p><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFrOoEHoYEESmPLKMtPAiBvHFDRVAI8sJq-CeU7OFLQj8N2VG1yaDxdXVG8EG8G8_EOs7XTXXh0qqpVNiFw_FJaPHQVZRuCZvfWMW1Q3PVhds2ClVkTEzktg9Ser2Z8koCr1jAx5zeKvTGOqKT2MyYLrtV3o4QuMnLw3a4Ype_rR5ddjbl6lqx=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFrOoEHoYEESmPLKMtPAiBvHFDRVAI8sJq-CeU7OFLQj8N2VG1yaDxdXVG8EG8G8_EOs7XTXXh0qqpVNiFw_FJaPHQVZRuCZvfWMW1Q3PVhds2ClVkTEzktg9Ser2Z8koCr1jAx5zeKvTGOqKT2MyYLrtV3o4QuMnLw3a4Ype_rR5ddjbl6lqx=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A southern prospect of Birmingham from Highgate Park<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">The site, once a sheep and cattle fold, went on to become Birmingham's first municipal park</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://billdargue.jimdofree.com/placenames-gazetteer-a-to-y/places-h/highgate/">https://billdargue.jimdofree.com/placenames-gazetteer-a-to-y/places-h/highgate/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The park was officially opened on 2nd June 1876, by the Mayor Joseph Chamberlain</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today, we wonder about its values once again.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-988623075728379842022-02-22T08:26:00.002-08:002022-02-24T00:58:35.439-08:00Down To Earth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRan26xsD663hiTXcKRhgYLzbZL729yKtAj0r72M7PoOjcKjSVo-SZJ_bjM6FyxyF7yw8BYIvz0Fmnq_M75F0JFPChs_xYT4--eOrXSPnFT99R2BVBIv7S0j-oeKh5RZ4yxeAaf5Q579K_pod5icZOFhP5lsZVMQUlzk0pLm6XilbaGdGsXMp6=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRan26xsD663hiTXcKRhgYLzbZL729yKtAj0r72M7PoOjcKjSVo-SZJ_bjM6FyxyF7yw8BYIvz0Fmnq_M75F0JFPChs_xYT4--eOrXSPnFT99R2BVBIv7S0j-oeKh5RZ4yxeAaf5Q579K_pod5icZOFhP5lsZVMQUlzk0pLm6XilbaGdGsXMp6=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><p><span>Coming soon - Dates TBA</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Down To Earth - </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A SERIES OF WEEKLY MEETINGS from Pacha House, Highgate</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Tuesdays from 11.00am </span></p><p></p><p>Down to Earth - a state of mind as much as anything, as we attempt to combat the rigours in which we find ourselves.</p><p> Simple pleasures</p><p> Simple meanings </p><p> Found in discovery</p><p> To be found in sharing</p><p> A Search for the distinctive and the particular</p><p>There's 'England in Particular' produced by Common Ground in 2006</p><h1 style="text-align: left;">A CELEBRATION OF (our area (s))</h1><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>THE Commonplace,</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>THE local, THE vernacular</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AND THE distinctive</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>by</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sue Clifford and Angela King</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>COMMON GROUND</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Celebrating LOCAL DISTINCTIVENESS</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>To be had=</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A discussion</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A walk</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A laugh</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Birmingham is mentioned many times in the book ENGLAND IN PARTICULAR</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifj6imgH1MnMeE2jRQuDCx_PzTh6683GGXk19BGmg-ODp0kP2umImBnt31kbaBX7nmAFkYhOgS7KiBPmNzliIZM_Ba4jKoC-W3LkwIfGj67_9R-DRA26yeN77WlvQXCIa9E9kpwwDNMz6h40n1Bu33vkvvaUbAIg9Bzz7drCH9w3Swf0TzVxMg=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifj6imgH1MnMeE2jRQuDCx_PzTh6683GGXk19BGmg-ODp0kP2umImBnt31kbaBX7nmAFkYhOgS7KiBPmNzliIZM_Ba4jKoC-W3LkwIfGj67_9R-DRA26yeN77WlvQXCIa9E9kpwwDNMz6h40n1Bu33vkvvaUbAIg9Bzz7drCH9w3Swf0TzVxMg=s320" width="240" /></a></div>allotments, arcades, back to back houses, buses, canals, Chinatown, clocks, cottage industry, factories, fairs, greetings, manure and night soil, mosques, place names, prefabs, pubs, quarters, sculptures, shopping precincts, squares, temples, tornadoes, tower blocks, town hall, underground railways, War Stone.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Conceptual</span></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Space..........Discovery..........Embracing new ideas..........</span></h1><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sharing ideas..........The Garden..........People (an infinite variety)..........</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Legacies..........Heritage..........</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Discussion</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Walking</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Focusing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Highgate Pear Tree</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi43bJm0blw7XdG52F3BxKeK5LdkpQBJ7bgs5QCes_erXxC_8OO57GrP6l4UnrTCOwWJdXiIPHeyNyzatqx65Uz9w8yU7PSHKKGooNNS6stLUCPFiQ8I8favTiUVG8NloXJMzhc-9uU6iAIPw1x4qdVGi2NCrvQsyI8wVeLyWMAwiy5ncKm9Duo=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi43bJm0blw7XdG52F3BxKeK5LdkpQBJ7bgs5QCes_erXxC_8OO57GrP6l4UnrTCOwWJdXiIPHeyNyzatqx65Uz9w8yU7PSHKKGooNNS6stLUCPFiQ8I8favTiUVG8NloXJMzhc-9uU6iAIPw1x4qdVGi2NCrvQsyI8wVeLyWMAwiy5ncKm9Duo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div></blockquote><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div>Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-26844275097625537152018-12-04T23:54:00.000-08:002018-12-04T23:54:27.656-08:00The lost orchard of Stirchley<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>'The Fruit and Nut Village'</u></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Plums and damsons, apples and blackberries, mouthwatering delights mostly hidden amongst the slow rolling tide of bramble amidst forgotten riverside pasture. The bramble is pervasive and laden this year with plump, ripe pickings feasted upon and collected in punnets for home consumption, although pick one eat two seems to be the method most favoured.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wVNTCiGOd5GR5bImVk7Q86iRIBdOW7BIMKs5QuV6Es_0H1f7fKgWoVs9f6HCEkSRxrZL6ew4BHV1v4Zqpfrx1Rkf7qsoRe06JZyBIBqWr9N7dp_D1WnSK7NwBsuPnmS9re0mOGcp/s1600/brambles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wVNTCiGOd5GR5bImVk7Q86iRIBdOW7BIMKs5QuV6Es_0H1f7fKgWoVs9f6HCEkSRxrZL6ew4BHV1v4Zqpfrx1Rkf7qsoRe06JZyBIBqWr9N7dp_D1WnSK7NwBsuPnmS9re0mOGcp/s400/brambles.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> There's a continuing interest for food growing nearby, especially fruits, in a city well known for its gardens, parks and allotments; and a somewhat neglected parcel, partly known as Ten Acres together with its east-of-river neighbouring land of no particular name these days, is mostly traversed by speeding cyclist, striding greenway commuter, meandering dog walker and tottering youngster or elder, generally paying no attention left or right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sue tells us of a man who knew a man who once planted fruit trees at the edge of the old pasture, damsons, apples and plums, possibly 50 or more years ago. There's definitely an orchard feel about the collection, and </span><span style="font-size: large;">as yet</span><span style="font-size: large;"> no better </span><span style="font-size: large;">forthcoming </span><span style="font-size: large;">explantation of their origins . So the lost orchard is found by the folk of the 'Fruit and Nut Village'.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4eQLubE-ItSndbqWUzL-9duPfeR8rO0JyjWgA487rB-xdJVoTd-4qI2JU9h8ws2JT-vJYL3ml_-qrzHFFjgtglagFTuj9FeXDbPGQmNHlAzG3dQ3fADJlxoxC-wUq7_dZuHp8miE/s1600/IMG_60B63E830EA7-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4eQLubE-ItSndbqWUzL-9duPfeR8rO0JyjWgA487rB-xdJVoTd-4qI2JU9h8ws2JT-vJYL3ml_-qrzHFFjgtglagFTuj9FeXDbPGQmNHlAzG3dQ3fADJlxoxC-wUq7_dZuHp8miE/s640/IMG_60B63E830EA7-1.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Members of The Fruit and Nut Village, Felipe and Dr. Rob together with local fruitcakes Dr. Sue and Ranger.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Following coffee, tea and water, even though alcohol was available, at a nearby continental styled cafe bar the group ventured to the River Rea sidings a short walk away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The site of Ten Acres has been blogged about before so let's not repeat too many details. In this case we're talking both the old Ten Acres to the west of the River Rea at Stirchley together with the swathe of land comprising the 'lost orchard', an alder woodland and a flood alleviation swale and bund on the east side of river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Woodland Wednesdays will provide opportunities for like minded people to enjoy this fascinating green space located between Dads Lane and Cartland Road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rangers and orchardeers (new word) will be working alongside wildlife experts and enthusiasts, keen volunteers, local people, tree managers and a host of others from near and far to help enhance the site quite naturally and thoughtfully. Working 'in' and 'around' and 'with' nature, whilst at all times considering the benefits of wildlife diversity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Woodland Wednesdays will begin in earnest during September 2018 and in the meantime discussions will continue as we build a management plan for the site - several ideas including raising funds, publicity and promotion</span></div>
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Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-87851237980374543412018-05-04T00:21:00.002-07:002018-05-10T23:26:42.722-07:00Woodlands, Trees and Tree People<span style="font-size: large;">Woodlands, Trees and Tree People</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosmRs0Un5mYUPJFTJRuerHDYHfBVP6S-2F9_L65JJZJqBxe9y9mQHiywN2OYfZ3TRjZSzzbiO1MHeaEboOz9Q4IDY26y0z94YXXcmmE6g-D6-tSqIHuVu46v-0oFmvNcXq4VatFn6/s1600/IMG_3563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosmRs0Un5mYUPJFTJRuerHDYHfBVP6S-2F9_L65JJZJqBxe9y9mQHiywN2OYfZ3TRjZSzzbiO1MHeaEboOz9Q4IDY26y0z94YXXcmmE6g-D6-tSqIHuVu46v-0oFmvNcXq4VatFn6/s400/IMG_3563.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Down To Earth at Holders Woods</span></td></tr>
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The woodlands are active again with leaf burst and birdsong heralding a new year, although at Holders Woods 'Down To Earth' it never ceases or even slows down, with up to 80 people gathering every Monday morning. All ages enjoy the setting, the social connectivity, the activities and the wonderful cohesive mix of families from Birmingham and beyond.<br />
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There's always a buoyant and jubilant interest in woodland, and whilst standing-talking amongst the lofty Oaks and Beeches at Holders, a spiritual connection often arises as we look skyward, impressed by the dimensional heights and the cathedral-like perpendicular architecture, which has held humans captivated for a hundred thousands years and more. It's a primitive 'down to earth' moment of reflection marrying thoughts of our existence through time, spacial distance, heritage and the present.<br />
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Details for joing in can be found by following this link -<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/647804728621411/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/647804728621411/</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tree work</span><br />
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Our area has witnessed a substantial amount of tree work over the past few months, with various demands from a variety of sectors. We notice pruning, pollarding felling, coppicing and everything in between, along streets, in parks, on private land and on river banks.<br />
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And whilst being somewhat concerned, I believe most of the work is done for very good reason.<br />
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I guess street trees are the most contentious and although not fully up to date with the 'Sheffield' saga, I know there are a lot of very strong feelings amongst tree lovers, and whilst many individuals and organisations thrive amongst the trees, I suspect there are a significant number of people who might be termed 'tree sceptics', disliking and complaining, venturing towards illegal cutting, ring barking, uprooting and doing their best to deter tree planting plans.<br />
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Tree also die from natural causes or are damaged by natural forces<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTX56s2msYXzSvBMqPu3-qCmW6_9fDYfGVrrA71K9eV2TMPOPQmCk_r_kcxHwV3OwxrCUjvZjM-0NDKIwz2kMkXt-NrEsuNnlU74-XtIJxQtF2tLF8yZDKc7GaYymwp59Tjaz8Tq5R/s1600/beech+fallen+at+Holders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTX56s2msYXzSvBMqPu3-qCmW6_9fDYfGVrrA71K9eV2TMPOPQmCk_r_kcxHwV3OwxrCUjvZjM-0NDKIwz2kMkXt-NrEsuNnlU74-XtIJxQtF2tLF8yZDKc7GaYymwp59Tjaz8Tq5R/s400/beech+fallen+at+Holders.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fallen Beech at Holders Woods thanks to Storm Doris</span></td></tr>
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Many City street trees have been planted over the past 150 years, with many coming towards the end of life, wearing not so well in stressful locations and circumstances. Yet whatever their hazardous state people will protest at removal.<br />
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In Britain we have a long history of tree removal with vast areas, once forested, now urbanised, leaving pockets of small ancient woodlands, much loved and protected but always under threat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbGuwIBKriZA41OprfoeV-5ZPN3BZSyN5CvJ7oLOqhEe0jPSO03MXP9cpSKTnEWKzulMUHGFEYgJdoZqFibaouoq7XoB6PjNLCHg5eXrruQqrN3gR_2Ux4Guax_YEjYUat2m6ewDT/s1600/IMG_3568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbGuwIBKriZA41OprfoeV-5ZPN3BZSyN5CvJ7oLOqhEe0jPSO03MXP9cpSKTnEWKzulMUHGFEYgJdoZqFibaouoq7XoB6PjNLCHg5eXrruQqrN3gR_2Ux4Guax_YEjYUat2m6ewDT/s400/IMG_3568.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A veteran willow near the site on which <br />Moor Green Mill once stood. (No remains)</span></td></tr>
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No wonder we have so many tree lovers and tree loving organisations. Birmingham Tree People are the latest organisation to focus on city trees.<br />
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Follow the links below to their Facebook page and website.<br />
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<div style="caret-color: rgb(147, 139, 139); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 28px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="editor_text_uppercase" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span class="editor_font_francois_one" style="font-family: "francois one" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="editor_color_off_white" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">BECOME A TREE WARDEN</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(147, 139, 139); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="editor_font_oswald" style="font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="editor_color_off_white" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Anyone can join us who is interested in looking after trees, saving those under threat, learning more about trees in the urban environment and encouraging others to enjoy trees in Birmingham.</span></span></span></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Birmingham-Tree-People-450364121827069/">https://www.facebook.com/Birmingham-Tree-People-450364121827069/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.birminghamtreepeople.org.uk/">http://www.birminghamtreepeople.org.uk</a><br />
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In terms of timing for planting, felling, coppicing, pollarding etc, well it seems that there is often a disregard for wildlife and nature in many cases with trees felled any time between 9.00am and 5.00pm, throughout the year, most of the reasoning is dubious and often related to budgetary considerations.<br />
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In nature conservation terms, there is a strong guideline which dictates that management should only take place between October and February.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">New interests in woodland </span>and green spaces are continually developing, and welcomed, as the need to enhance biodiversity and balance development is a constant theme for planners.<br />
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Rivers provide the greening link between the concrete, allowing for the unimpeded movement of plants and animals throughout the land.<br />
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The Rea Valley between Cannon Hill Park and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal provides a well wooded belt, consisting of parkland plantations, ancient woodland and riverside willows, alders and hazel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Rea Valley between Cannon Hill Park and Stirchley</span></td></tr>
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This area is the focus for a variety of nature conservation organisations that will continue to develop over the next few months, with interest from the Environment Agency, the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country together with local interest at Ten Acres, Holders Woods and Cannon Hill Park.<br />
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<br />Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-51203880072352475562018-04-27T04:21:00.000-07:002018-04-27T04:22:36.381-07:00Extract from 'Lillie's Journal of Garden Delights'<h3>
Chapter IV </h3>
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A hedgehog's view</h3>
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"The Ladies paraded in their finery during a mid April morn, shrouding the Lords in protective fashion.</div>
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Whilst Jack was nearby somewhat removed from the hedge but sheltered under Hawthorn with peeping greenery, and with an overview of endless visitors, not quite ready but getting there by verdant repose.</div>
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"Hello there" piped Herb Robert to Stickless William,<br />
"And a fine morning to you too", Dandi and Willowherb.<br />
The tufts of flowerless grasses loitered here and there with Speedwell and Sow Thistle in company<br />
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Hazel with Chives and Parsley are doing fine alongside Coltsfoot and Comfrey, all someone prostrate and dwafed by Sycamore and Ash in a combined yet not-too-well-thoughtout encounter. </div>
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Reluctantly, Wood Pigeon cooed some sort of encouragement and had done so since dawn, by which time Song Thrush had serenaded the new day.<br />
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Here now we have the lesser of the Celandines, always eager to please, smiling for the time being and lifting endless spirits from the dismay of a long tawdry winter, which began well and had its moments but loitered cheaply and awkwardly for far too long.<br />
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Ivy clad almost everything standing still, which was almost everything, whilst Daffodil bowed a finale of early Spring, ready for the next act.<br />
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Little white-flowerering Bittercress clustered as the Dunnock sang in accompaniment with Chaffinch perched nearby and not far behind - Joining the throng and choristers and standing tall were Ash and Elm, slightly but not brightly outshon by Silver Birch - indeed, all a tad shy, yet ready for the annual dance.<br />
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Let us not forget Buttercup and Groundsell, Bramble, Primula and away yonder Cowslip, Ribwort Plantain, Salad Burnet and Knapweed, with bold Nettle fearing little, not even Red Clover in the garden of delight."<br />
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<br />Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-90570900188064521842018-01-08T00:44:00.001-08:002022-05-24T00:53:24.459-07:00Wildlife on your doorstep - The Rea Valley is blessed, and so are those walking it.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You don't have to travel great distances to appreciate wildlife, and if you're lucky enough to be in a striking line of a river or other water body then you are truly blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Birmingham might not be known for its great water courses but it can boast a fine network of canals and dynamic, vibrant rivers, brooks, streams, rills and runnels, together with reservoirs, lakes, ponds and pools, not to mention wet grasslands and woodlands alongside.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoceHp4nL7VVxvrsG4nzTmtA0bJj2z6Wri3YAlHzT_PTevtJIWzI3gOvjEc_rRBS69BWqL9_oxInMKKKG7ms_efePJ9Hknlhc3Ow03cFZtWj6TfeWXcrasjs1u-ll8l0be_o29-GA/s1600/River+Mills.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="482" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoceHp4nL7VVxvrsG4nzTmtA0bJj2z6Wri3YAlHzT_PTevtJIWzI3gOvjEc_rRBS69BWqL9_oxInMKKKG7ms_efePJ9Hknlhc3Ow03cFZtWj6TfeWXcrasjs1u-ll8l0be_o29-GA/s400/River+Mills.png" width="301" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">John Morris Jones' map of mills</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Andy Slater pays regular tribute throughout the year to the green spaces and wildlife of the Rea Valley and beyond; from the tiniest beasts to the changes in time and space he catalogues, journals and photographs with a naturalists eye. - check out his Twitter page for splendid images- <a href="https://twitter.com/Andy_Underscore">https://twitter.com/Andy_Underscore</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A first lesson for aspiring naturalists is to get to know the species in nearby gardens and parks before stepping into the wilds, and if the imagination is given free reign and/or rein then the wilds are on the doorstep too. You don't have to be in the midst of a National Park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lists of species around the Rea Valley is spectacular and for a good account check out the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust's EcoRecord -<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoRecording">https://twitter.com/EcoRecording</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Indeed make sure you submit your sightings for 'every record counts', be it woodlouse, earwig or gnat</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And whilst we're at it - if you would like to engage further with wild people then why not join the WTBBC through subscription or one of their work days or wildlife walks - </span><a href="https://twitter.com/WTBBC">https://twitter.com/WTBBC</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Join in our Woodland Wednesday Wildlife Walk at Holders Woods on January 31st 2018, which will incorporate the RSPB's BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">An 11.00am meet next to Moor Green Medical Centre</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Oh! and happy new year.</span></div>
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Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0Highbury Park, Shutlock Ln, Birmingham B13 8QG, UK52.439392299999987 -1.900643552.436776278736673 -1.9049350344238281 52.4420083212633 -1.8963519655761718tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-76212655589148638842017-12-27T10:40:00.001-08:002017-12-31T02:47:41.304-08:00A Good Yew News Story - UPDATE<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Following the alarming cut back of an ancient Yew tree in March 2015, I'm please to report that two years of healthy looking regrowth to this ancient specimen, reported by specialists to be around 850 years old, provides great hope and blessed relief that the tree has not only survived the ordeal but should continue to thrive and live on for many more centuries.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Two years of regrowth</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAzSx1EVlAkc756fNEICrImuX8NGKqQSKRdYsqfWK8G8_oBHHi4n6Rv28dO4fLlmsuoWK_CPrt6O4LczWCsD3Z-vSaixgzI3oDIfm93UFwkikmH014tboepTFPFeID2wGTUjZQ1cD/s1600/IMG_3811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAzSx1EVlAkc756fNEICrImuX8NGKqQSKRdYsqfWK8G8_oBHHi4n6Rv28dO4fLlmsuoWK_CPrt6O4LczWCsD3Z-vSaixgzI3oDIfm93UFwkikmH014tboepTFPFeID2wGTUjZQ1cD/s400/IMG_3811.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Looking healthy in parts</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHUHla06rd9IXCxNCJ8pKrgrGqY24GoqT_Z_HF2S9eY8DeVVTQhm5K9jzuqRhHW6F-Y0-b4mrLD_p-eYnG1RHGcvQoKQlkwyhIdN98N00k160l2thiArk2iDozRnZFW2YPkvR5nzK/s1600/IMG_3810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHUHla06rd9IXCxNCJ8pKrgrGqY24GoqT_Z_HF2S9eY8DeVVTQhm5K9jzuqRhHW6F-Y0-b4mrLD_p-eYnG1RHGcvQoKQlkwyhIdN98N00k160l2thiArk2iDozRnZFW2YPkvR5nzK/s640/IMG_3810.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Hopefully the tree will thrive and produce further healthy growth for many decades and maybe centuries</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The ancient bole shows character and charisma, and proves to be photogenic from any angle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It has been lopped on many occasions over the decades and not always sympathetically, but for the first time in its history it is now protected with a 'tree preservation order'.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-co3p4bvRJ9dPn1LAMce4_BLkS6QYuXmGV3s04l5qPWVtBIciaeZ6CRrVkjSvhdByuSsEBYGSFdtDve8dQZfYHJQAW-oMhSFUJrzvJGivBhApbldO97_pRXEB6_pIeTEkH-M1Qbg9/s1600/IMG_3814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-co3p4bvRJ9dPn1LAMce4_BLkS6QYuXmGV3s04l5qPWVtBIciaeZ6CRrVkjSvhdByuSsEBYGSFdtDve8dQZfYHJQAW-oMhSFUJrzvJGivBhApbldO97_pRXEB6_pIeTEkH-M1Qbg9/s320/IMG_3814.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A 'trysting' tree for lovers was Richard Cadbury's account in the late nineteenth century, and although it probably goes unnoticed by many passing by today it is fondly appreciated by those in the know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yet one can imagine times when this tree was revered, possibly begining its life in the mid 12th Century. </span></div>
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Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67218595748543224.post-42595394766368763882017-12-13T11:36:00.000-08:002017-12-13T11:45:17.175-08:00Nature Improvement proposals and CONSULTATION for the Rea Valley<h3 style="background-image: url(http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/profiles/wildlifetrusts/themes/wildlife/css/content/line.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; clear: both; color: #3a332b; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding-top: 10px;">
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What are Nature Improvement Areas? </span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country say-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NIAs are designed to revitalise urban and rural areas by creating bigger, inter-connected networks of wildlife habitats to re-establish wildlife populations and help achieve nature’s recovery. NIAs will improve the health of the natural environment to support food production, reduce flood risk and increase access to nature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NIAs encompass areas of land that include natural features and wildlife habitats but also include roads, housing developments and other man-made elements. They are areas that have been identified for their opportunities to restore nature at a landscape-scale alongside other land-uses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NIAs should enhance existing ecological networks by:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">• Improving the management of existing wildlife sites</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">• Increasing the size of existing wildlife sites</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">• Increasing the number of wildlife sites</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">• Improving connectivity between sites</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">• Creating wildlife corridors</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Follow this link for more information</span><br />
<a href="http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/NIA"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/NIA</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">The Rangers working alongside The B&BCWT NIA team, the Friends of the Fields and local residents are hoping to develop and improve nature areas along the Rea Valley at the Holders Pebble Fields.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">The map below highlights a few ideas- The aim is to improve the natural features for the benefit of people and wildlife</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihrVPbv8oThEaSpB3TTfj81jJdHkIArR4Iv1lSsyY1KVaS5dPumS0oNOsC5PpGSQZI6eB4AD1j0nRblqxOQrtqGFrA38fvKaT78U0teTnWeIHW_MfcFx0Es2Mmx7POAGM3fwVnVqo/s1600/Holders+Pebble+proposals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihrVPbv8oThEaSpB3TTfj81jJdHkIArR4Iv1lSsyY1KVaS5dPumS0oNOsC5PpGSQZI6eB4AD1j0nRblqxOQrtqGFrA38fvKaT78U0teTnWeIHW_MfcFx0Es2Mmx7POAGM3fwVnVqo/s640/Holders+Pebble+proposals.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We would like your thoughts on the proposals.<br /><br />In January we will be walking the site and talking about wildlife and how we might improve the nature of the area by-</span><br />
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<li style="text-align: left;">Expanding two areas of existing woodland with the addition of about 300-400 trees, including Alder, Hazel, Cherry and Oak.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Develop a new hedgerow with species such as Hawthorn, Hazel, Alder Buckthorn, Dog Rose, these will provide blossom and fruit for bees, butterflies and birds.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Creating nectar rich wildflower areas around the perimeter of the field. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Introducing nectar rich wildflower and grass species to the existing woodland.</li>
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Please join us on Wednesday 31st January 2018, meet by the Moor Green Medical Centre at 11.00am if you can, if not please contribute your ideas, comments and feedback to-<br />kingsheathhub@birmingham.gov.uk </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">photo from Mail online</span></div>
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Alf Dimmockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950084775975955169noreply@blogger.com0